Information Technology in Selected Countries (UNU, 1994, 148 pages): 2: Information technology in Ethiopia: 1. Introduction

Information Technology in Selected Countries (UNU, 1994, 148 pages)

(introductory text...)

Note to the Reader from the UNU

Introduction

1: Development of information technology in Ireland

(introductory text...)

1. Introduction

2. Historical perspective

3. Government policy and the role of key institutions

4. Development of the electronics industry

5. Development of the software industry

6. The telecommunications infrastructure for it

7. Manufacturing applications of information technology

8. IT applications in the service sector

9. The impact of IT on employment

10. Education and training in information technology

11. Summary and implications for developing countries

Appendix A: IT-related courses in tertiary-level institutions in 1987/88

Appendix B: EOLAS innovation support programmes

References

2: Information technology in Ethiopia

(introductory text...)

1. Introduction

2. Historical perspective

3. Government policy and the role of key institutions

4. Telecommunication infrastructure

5. IT applications in the service sector

6. Education and training in IT

Appendix: Computer courses

References

3: Development of information technology in Nigeria

(introductory text...)

1. Introduction

2. Growth of information technology

3. IT policy

4. The computer service industry

5. Telecommunications

6. Applications of IT

7. Education and training in IT

8. Conclusion

References

4: Development of information technology in Tanzania

(introductory text...)

1. History of informatics in Tanzania

2. Current situation: Computer hardware

3. Trend in growth of hardware acquisition since the 1960s

4. Current situation: Computer software

5. Informatics education and training

6. Computer usage

7. Informatics infrastructure

8. Informatics policy

References

Other titles of interest

1. Introduction

This report presents some highlights of the application of information technology (IT) in Ethiopia and attempts to show the overall situation. However, it may be worth noting that, on the basis of the present activities and the 10-year perspective plan, it is very likely that the situation will change dramatically in the next two to five years.

Background

Ethiopia has a total land area of 1,251,282 km², comprising a central highland mass surrounded by low land. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa. The country extends from latitude 3°N to 18°N and longitude 33°E to 48°E, with approximately equal east-west and north-south dimensions.

With a population of 46 million, Ethiopia is one of the most populous of the least developed countries in Africa. The age distribution shows that the country's population is predominantly young, with 46.6 per cent of the population under 15 years of age and 69 per cent under 30 years of age.

Early Ethiopian civilization indicates a number of achievements in the application of science and technology. The remnants of impressive architectural works of pre-Christian and Christian times are evidence of the progress made in civil engineering and architectural works.

A detailed historical overview of science and technology in Ethiopia has been given in the document entitled "Assessment of the current situation and problems of S&T in Ethiopia" presented to the conference on the National Science and Technology Policy of Ethiopia.¹

Mention should also be made that Ethiopia has its own script, "Amharic," which is an official language of communication in government organizations and schools. Innovative development of IT in the country takes this fact into consideration.

Report Outline

In section 2 the historical development of IT is reviewed and data on suppliers presented. Section 3 deals with the role of key institutions in the promotion of IT in Ethiopia. Section 4 concentrates on the telecommunications infrastructure. The application of IT in some of the major organizations in the service sector is discussed in section 5. Finally, the current situation with regard to education training in IT is presented in section 6.