Leland Initiative: Africa Global Information Infrastructure Gateway Project (698-0565) Strategic Objective 3: End-User Applications Country Assessment and Action Plan Mali Prepared for: United States Agency for International Development Africa Bureau, Office of Sustainable Development USAID/Mali Prepared by: Zoey Breslar Dana Ireland United States Agency for International Development Policy and Program Coordination Bureau Center for Development Information and Evaluation Research and Reference Services Project Operated by the Academy for Educational Development December 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................i 1.0 Introduction .................................................... 1 2.0 USAID/Mali's Sustainable Development Strategies ........................ 1 2.1 Leland Initiative’s SO 1: Creating an Enabling Policy Environment ........... 1 2.2 Leland Initiative’s SO 2: Creating a Sustainable Supply of Internet Services ..... 2 2.3 Rural Access ................................................. 2 3.0 The Leland Initiative's Strategic Objective 3 Strategy ..................... 3 3.0.1 Assessment Process ......................................... 3 3.0.2 Assessment Findings ........................................ 4 3.1 Potential Fast-Track Organizations .................................. 4 3.2 Next Steps ................................................... 5 3.2.1 USAID/Mali Staff and Potential Fast-track Institutions ................. 5 3.2.2 Other Development Institutions ................................... 6 3.2.3 Internet Service Provider ..................................... 7 3.2.4 Donors .................................................. 7 3.2.5 Private Voluntary Organizations ................................ 8 4.0 Conclusion ..................................................... 8 Next Steps Matrix .................................................. 9 Annex A: Leland Initiative Strategic Objective 3: End-User Applications Background Annex B: Interview Summaries and Organizations' Contact Information Annex C: Assessment Summary Matrix Annex D: Survey Tools Annex E: Internet for Development: Applications and Training Workshop Annex F: Summary of USAID/Mali SO Team Meetings Annex G: References i Executive Summary The Leland Initiative is a five-year, $15 million USAID project bringing full Internet connectivity to 20 or more African nations. The Initiative’s three strategic objectives (SOs) support fast-paced sustainable development by establishing an Internet-friendly policy environment (SO1); promoting a sustainable supply of Internet services (SO2); and developing a dynamic and growing user base capable of utilizing the Internet (SO3). This report addresses Internet end-user issues and outlines an action plan to ensure appropriate user base development. Of the 43 organizations interviewed during the assessment, six potential pilot projects have been identified as fast-track partners, those most ready to begin applying the information and communication tools (i.e., the Internet) to the challenges of fast-paced sustainable development. USAID/Mali’s assistance to these institutions would produce measurable results and through their example, be promoters of Internet use to other organizations. These organizations include: · L’Ecole National Superieur (ENSup)- already a targeted project for USAID/Mali’s Special Objective for Information and Communication. ENSup will be an example of academic Internet use for other higher education facilities nation-wide. · Le Comite de Coordination des Actions des ONGs au Mali (CCA ONG) - dedicated to the capacity building of Malian NGOs by providing resources to their members that support USAID/Mali’s good governance strategic objective. One of CCA ONG’s goal is to build a strong information and communication component into their members’ activities. · Le Mission de Decentralisation (Government of Mali) - implements an information strategy and understands the value of information dissemination which supports the missions’ vision to use the Internet as a development information tool. · Le Cellule de Planification et de la Statistique (Ministry of Health) - has already begun developing a national communication strategy to relay their data from rural sites to Bamako for collection and analysis. Under USAID/Mali’s youth objective, the health sector staff and the Ministry of Health would provide a model for collaboration for research and development purposes. · L’Institut d’Economie Rural (IER) - is the main agricultural research institute in Mali and has the mandate to develop and implement agricultural research programs, disseminate research results, and provide technical assistance to farmers. This program supports the development information component of USAID/Mali’s SO2: to increase incomes in areas of high productive potential. · The West Africa Enterprise Network/Mali (WAEN/Mali) - is involved with promoting private sector growth by addressing marketing activities and regional trade issues for local business people. USAID/Mali’s SO2 team already has professional relationships with many i Network members. These six institutions operate in a country where the policy environment is favorable towards creating a fair and competitive Internet Service Provider industry and end-user base. To sustain and mature Internet end-user demand, a USAID sponsored Internet training would effectively promote Internet use for sustainable development in Mali to USAID/Mali staff, USAID partners, and other institutions in Mali. ii 1.0 Introduction The Leland Initiative Strategic Objective 3 Country Assessment and Action Plan was developed within the context of the mission’s goal, that “Mali will achieve a level of sustainable political, economic and social development that eliminates the need for congressional foreign assistance”. Within this context, the report provides USAID/Mali with concrete action steps to support effective Internet use for the staff, fast-track partners, and other organizations and to build a network of active users in Mali. (See Annex A: Leland Initiative Strategic Objective 3: End-User Applications Background.) 2.0 USAID/Mali’s Sustainable Development Strategies USAID/Mali’s Special Objective for Information and Communication spearheaded the mission’s use of communications technology throughout its three Strategic Objectives (SO1 - the empowerment of youth to become responsible, contributing citizens; SO2 - sustainable growth of Mali’s economy; and SO3 - good governance). As a result, USAID/Mali works with their partners and beneficiaries to include, within their development activities, an information component. The Leland Initiative builds on this effort by providing the tools and technical assistance needed. 2.1 Leland Initiative’s SO 1: Creating an Enabling Policy Environment USAID/Mali’s mandate, along with that of the Leland Initiative, complements the Government of the Republic of Mali’s (GRM) own development strategies. These include: · decentralization for an increased participation of the civil society, requiring that information be available to all citizens (especially those in rural areas) · the modernization and strengthening of the telecommunications sector · increased private investments · increased exports · a more efficient education system Since taking office in 1993, President Konaré has promoted Internet use, particularly through private sector development, as one of the development tools to achieve the country’s objectives. However, there is a need for awareness-building with regard to this technology and its applications throughout Mali. On August 6, 1996, Leland’s SO1 team negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Government and the GRM which states that the two governments will "cooperate in a mutual effort to establish a national Internet gateway". This formal agreement allows the United States to provide Mali with full Internet connectivity and technical assistance to ensure that reliable, competitive, and cost-effective services for accessing the Internet are available. Since there are currently no regulations that prohibit Internet services, 1 the Ministry of Culture and Communications is developing policies that will help guide the technology’s installation and development. As agreed upon in the Leland MOU, SOTELMA (La Societe des Telecommunications du Mali), the parastatal responsible for the telephone trunk lines and services, will own and operate the national Internet node. 2.2 Leland Initiative’s SO2: Creating a Sustainable Supply of Internet Services There are four organizations that provide e-mail services in Mali: SITA, BINTTA, ORSTOM, and Spider. At the time of this assessment, these four organizations cumulatively serviced about one thousand e-mail users. It is was reported that obtaining reasonably priced leased lines from SOTELMA in a timely fashion was difficult. Requests for external network connections go through a lengthy bureaucratic process and authorization is given only on a case-by-case basis by SOTELMA. When approval is given, SOTELMA states that for a 64kpbs leased line it charges, on average, 2,500,000 CFA (approximately $5,000) a month for an X25 connection. However, SITA stated that it pays 4,000,000 CFA (approximately $8,000) a month for a leased line. All four organizations interviewed charge an initiation fee (which may include installation, training, and software); a monthly service charge; and a per kilobyte message charge to its clients. Initiation fees