Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) is an initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and aiding socio-economic development by ensuring equitable access to up-to-date communications technologies. The United Nations, through its UN Development Programme, actively promotes ICT4D as a powerful tool for economic and social development around the world. Infrastructure initiatives and development strategies incorporating ICT are being increasingly promoted and launched across countries worldwide. While the potential advantages of ICT for Development (ICT4D) are massive, national policies are yet to sufficiently reveal comprehensive and incorporated strategies for harnessing and exploiting this potential. Much mention has been made of a growing digital divide between countries. Therefore based on the literature review, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the need of aligning the ICT policies and strategies with ICT4D. The paper firstly outlines the role of ICTs as enablers of the developments. The paper further highlights examples of ICT4D projects which have been carried out worldwide. The paper concludes by discussing the importance of having clearly set ICT policies and strategies for ICTD4. The significance of this paper is to help those who wish to know about the ICT4D. It could also be helpful to the governments on matters regarding their ICT policies and strategies.
ICT4D, ICT policies, strategies, digital divide
