Introduction to the Special Issue ICTs and Economic Transformation in Africa: a Synthesis

Abstract

The process of technological innovation from the late 20th century and its acceleration in the 21st century has been dominated by new technologies and in particular information and communication technology (ICT). Information and communications technology (ICT) refers to technologies that pertain to the new science of collecting, storing, processing and transmitting information whereby information, computing, and telecommunications are converging. The ICT sector is a combination of manufacturing and services industries that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically that is breaking the traditional dichotomy between manufacturing and services making it possible for activities producing and distributing ICT products to pervade all sectors of the economy (OECD, 2003).