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The following is a brief excerpt of the Leland
Information and Communication Strategic Objective Report for Benin.
Prepared for:
United States Agency for International Development
Africa Bureau, Office of Sustainable Development
USAID/Benin
Prepared by:
Linda Leonard
Steven Dorsey
Jim Esselman
Zoey Breslar
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
May 1996
Strategic Objective 3 of the USAID Africa Global Information Infrastructure Gateway Project, also known as the Leland Initiative, seeks to achieve broadbased use of information and global information technologies within USAID's development partner community to promote sustainable development in Africa. This component of the Leland Initiative is managed by the USAID Center for Development Information and Evaluation (CDIE) Research and Reference Services Project (R&RS), which is operated by the Academy for Educational Development (AED).
The first stage of country level implementation of the Leland Initiative is to conduct assessments in the three strategic objective areas: 1) telecommunications policy; 2) telecommunications technology, specifically, Internet infrastructure and Internet Service Provider industry; and 3) Internet end user applications.
Institutional assessments for S.O. 3 are designed to collect basic institutional data; data on information resources used and needed in institutions; data on Internet usage; and data on country level issues such as costs of Internet related technologies. A survey interview instrument was used to collect data from institutions identified in cooperation with USAID/Cotonou. The assessment team also developed a fax to facilitate gathering information. The fax, sent ahead of scheduled interviews, explained the Leland Initiative in brief and asked that the institution be prepared to provide particular information needed for the assessment. Data on country level issues were collected both during institutional interviews and through interviews with key individuals in the telecommunications and information industries. These data will be processed to assist the assessment team in determining how institutions might benefit from the introduction or broader use of the Internet, as well as the type and level of assistance needed at the institutional level to introduce or broaden Internet access and use.
As a result of the initial Leland Initiative S.O. 3 assessment in Ghana, six criteria or indicators were developed to measure an institution's readiness for effective use of the Internet, including: 1) whether or not the institution had in place an Institutional Information/Communication Strategy; 2) whether or not the institution was currently producing and using publications and databases; 3) whether or not the institution recognized the potential contribution of the Internet to its institutional mission; 4) whether or not there was an individual in the institution who could serve as Internet "champion" or catalyst; 5) the status of the institution's telecommunications and computer infrastructure; and 6) the potential for sustainability. The Benin assessment team members followed these criteria as a guide for measuring the Internet readiness of the institutions with whom they met.
Even though very few institutions scored high across the board, most institutions have at least a reasonable base on which to build in each of the six measured areas. Among the institutions for which information was available, the following percentages scored either a high or medium ranking in the following six areas:
No single sector seems to stand out over the others in terms of readiness for the Internet. Some strong institutions exist in each of the mission's Strategic Objective areas including: Songhai and the National Economic Institute, in the Education/Economic Growth area; Africare and GERDDES, in the Democracy and Governance area; and the Regional Public Health Institute (IRSP), and the National Health Information System (SNIGS/Ministry of Health), in the Health and Population area. In general, private, for-profit organizations are further along technologically than most non-profit and public sector institutions because they have a more secure financial resource base and are better equipped to adapt new technologies quickly. Strong representatives of the for-profit sector include Ecobank, WANAD, BOSS, and CBS Conseil. Sustainability will be a big concern for most local NGOs.
The assessments in Benin revealed two levels of barriers to Internet access and use. First level barriers deal generally with technical issues at a country level that effectively block Internet access in most institutions. It has become clear that these barriers will need to be addressed before institutions can be expected to think strategically about Internet use. In Benin, these first level barriers include: 1) lack of a competitive Internet Service Provider industry; 2) high tariffs on imported computer equipment; and 3) inconsistent quality and service of the national telecommunications infrastructure.
Once the first level barriers are addressed, second level barriers to effective use of the Internet arise at the institutional level. These include: 1) lack of exposure to and awareness of the Internet and the resources it offers; 2) lack of and high cost of appropriate computer equipment; and 3) lack of training on the use of the Internet.
The majority of institutions for which information was available produce printed information (77%), but only 46% produce electronic information and only 46% maintain a library or documentation center. Almost all institutions reported a need for additional information resources. Twenty-three percent (23%) of recorded institutions have access to Internet email, but only eleven percent (11%) have established a full-service Internet connection.
Five fast-track pilot institutions were identified through whom USAID can begin to explore pilot activities for introducing the Internet into its programs. Institutions were identified in each mission SO area and include: the West African News Agency Development (WANAD) Center, the GLOBE schools, Songhai, GERDDES (Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches sur la Democratie et le Developpment Economique et Social en Afrique), and Institut Regional de Santé Publique (Regional Public Health Institute).
Based on the assumption that policy and technical constraints to Internet access are eliminated, the following implementation strategy ideas are developed in this report:
An extensive Internet exposition to allow the general public to see how the Internet operates and receive some basic instruction on what is required to operate on the Internet. This level of introduction is necessary to begin the process of assimilating the use of electronic information and networking into organizations.
In order for USAID/Cotonou to promote effective use of Internet technology among its development partners in Benin, staff must first become familiar enough with this resource and its potential uses to be able to provide encouragement and direction to partners. USAID/Cotonou may wish to take advantage of Internet Resources Training offered by CDIE/DI/RRS.
USAID/Cotonou and the Africa Bureau can prioritize those institutions which could best benefit from assistance through joint Leland Initiative/Mission Program funding and technical assistance. CDIE/DI/RRS can help design specific assistance activities using data gathered from institutional assessments as the baseline for the types of assistance needed and for measuring the impact of any eventual assistance given.
Important practical experience can be gained through the implementation of selected fast-track pilot activities that incorporate use of the Internet into USAID partner activities. Lessons learned from activities in Benin can be shared with other USAID Africa Missions who will also participate in this initiative.
To encourage and promote Internet usage among institutions who may not have the financial and/or technical capacity, USAID should establish a proposal-based small grant mechanism for new users to buy equipment and training.
USAID (mission and Washington) can facilitate training and guidance for potential new and current Internet Service Providers.
Demonstration and training centers could be established to provide on-going training and Internet-related services, some for free, others fee based.
USAID should facilitate the creation of a professional discussion/support forum for new users, perhaps involving the Internet Society. This type of forum could do much of the marketing and awareness raising that will need to occur in Benin as long term follow-up to the national workshop.
Once the Internet is established in the south, USAID/Cotonou needs to consider a strategy for rural communications in Benin.
The African Global Information Infrastructure (GII) Gateway Project is a five year, $15
million project designed to assist up to twenty African nations in connecting to the
Internet. The project also aims to facilitate and encourage the application of this
information and communication tool by Africans and their development partners to meet the
challenges of achieving sustainable development. Approved by the U.S. Congress in 1995,
this project, also known as the Leland Initiative, is named in honor of Mickey Leland, a
former member of the U.S. Congress who was killed in a plane accident in Africa. Mr.
Leland had done extensive work in African affairs while a member of the U.S. Congress and
was a strong advocate of U.S. support to Africa.
The Africa GII Gateway Project is an interagency effort being coordinated by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It has three strategic objectives:
Creation of an enabling policy environment in Project countries to facilitate electronic networking and access to GII technologies.
Strengthening of the local telecommunications infrastructure to facilitate Internet access and support to a local Internet Service Provider industry to ensure the local availability of reliable, accessible, and cost-effective Internet access.
Achievement of broad-based use of information and global information technologies within USAID's development partner community to promote sustainable development.
The first stage of the Project is to conduct assessments of telecommunications policy, technology and applications in selected countries. These assessments will focus on government policies and regulations concerning telecommunications and information access and use; telecommunications infrastructure (level of development and condition); and the present condition and potential demand for Internet access in the public and private sectors.
The Academy for Educational Development's Research and Reference Services Project, funded through USAID's Center for Development Information and Evaluation, has been asked to do the assessments for the Strategic Objective Three area. Based on interviews with relevant institutions, these assessments examine local institutional capacities in terms of:
These SO 3 assessments, in combination with the findings from the first and second strategic objective assessments, will form the basis for the individualized country implementation plans and will help determine the nature of USAID involvement in each country.
After introducing the goals of the SO 3 assessment to mission personnel in USAID/Cotonou,
the assessment team requested meetings with each of the mission's three Strategic or
Special Objective teams (Basic Education, Democracy and Good Governance, Health and
Population) to discuss procedure. Since the Leland Initiative is geared toward working
within the mission's current project structure and following the established priorities
and Strategic Objectives of the mission, the team depended upon the mission to identify
partners, collaborators and other relevant institutions, as well as leaders in the
electronic networking arena.
The following criteria were given to the Mission to use as a guideline in identifying organizations to be interviewed:
Through discussions with each SO team, the assessment team established lists of key organizations in the three mission SO areas.
Once a list of institutions was finalized, the team scheduled appointments and began its interviews. To ease the interviewing process and familiarize local institutions with the Leland Initiative, the team developed and sent a fax to some institutions prior to the appointment date. The fax included a two page brief of the Initiative and requested that the institutions bring brochures, publication samples, and information on their technical capacities to the interviews.
Used primarily by the Democracy and Good Governance team, the fax proved useful in alerting the selected institutions to the kinds of information the team wished to gather, particularly with regards to technical capacities. Receiving the fax ahead of the interview allowed institutions the time to gather appropriate materials and/or to invite their information/technical specialists to participate in the interview. It also expedited the interview process, as all parties were ready to launch into discussion with little more introduction to the Initiative.
The team developed a survey form to assist in gathering information needed for the assessment from the key individuals and organizations who were interviewed. The survey is divided into two parts:
Includes institutional objectives; current projects; print publications and electronic databases produced; information resources used; information needs; and communication technology status.
Includes telephone availability and cost; cost and availability of computers, modems and service; and other perceived barriers to Internet access on a country wide level.
The survey frequently helped structure the discussions and helped the interviewees better understand the purpose of the team's visit. The effectiveness of the survey, though, varied. In some cases, the team left the surveys with the institutions and requested that they be returned to the team at the USAID mission. Some individuals were able to fill out the survey, others were not. In other cases, the interviewer filled out the form during or after the interview, especially when the fax had been sent to the institution ahead of time.
The information gathered through the survey is valuable; however, it is clear that if the survey is to be distributed directly to institutions, it will need some revisions. The survey was designed as an interview guide and a tool for recording responses. Current instructions on the questionnaire are inadequate for a self-administered survey. Also, many organizations or individuals interviewed did not fit within the scope of the questionnaire, yet their information was quite valuable and important to the Assessment process. The Team will have to address these issues prior to carrying out further assessments. Some sort of analytical tool is necessary, but it must be manageable.
Again, the use of the fax stands out as the best way to prompt the institutions being interviewed for the kind of information the team needs to conduct the country assessments. In future assessments, regular use of the fax should, in most cases, eliminate the need to leave the survey with the institutions because it allows the institutions to prepare answers to the most specific and detailed questions ahead of time. The team can easily obtain more general information about the nature of the institutions work through the course of the interview.
The team visited all but four--GRAPAD (Groupe de Recherche et d'Action pour la Promotion de l'Agriculture et du Developpement), WAEN (West African Enterprise Network), CBS Conseil and AVD (Association des Volontaires au Developpement)--of the 41 institutions interviewed. Meeting at the institutions themselves gave members of the team the opportunity to visit any information centers and to see the institutions' technological resources and how they were used. Interviews were conducted in French and English.
In our nine working days in Benin, the team interviewed 89 individuals from 41
institutions. These interviews allowed the team to develop a good understanding of the
current status of the Internet in Benin.
Full Internet access is available currently in Benin only through the PTT, but few institutions have established accounts. There are two sets of constraints or barriers currently limiting the use of Internet services:
At the country level, generally of a technical nature, this category includes:
At the institutional level, this category includes:
Most of the individuals with whom the team met are at least familiar with the idea of the Internet and the potential new communication avenues an Internet connection might open, but most people have never seen the Internet in operation because of the constraints posed primarily by the first level barriers identified above. Most of the first level barriers fall under the Leland Initiative's SO 1 and SO 2 areas. Only after these issues have been addressed can any meaningful action be taken regarding the second level barriers relating directly to Internet end-user issues.
Even though the first level barriers fall chiefly under the scope of SO 1 and SO 2, for which separate reports will be written, some of the information we gathered on these issues warrants attention here.
The lack of a competitive ISP market in Benin contributes to a number of barriers to wider Internet access. The PTT is the sole provider of Internet service, but this service suffers from several problems that discourage its use:
Initial hook-up charge is about $50; a basic email account costs $10 per month; access to other Internet services, such as the World Wide Web, costs $6 per hour, plus additional local phone line charges since every phone call in Benin is metered. These costs are prohibitive for all but a few institutions.
The PTT's internet connection operates through a 14,400 baud rate. At least a 28,800 rate is needed for reasonable service. We interviewed one institution, West African News Agencies Development (WANAD) project, which has established a full Internet connection, through PTT, of which they provided a demonstration. WANAD runs its Internet software (PC/TCP) on a Pentium computer, and they have a 28,800 modem, but the lack of upgraded equipment at PTT makes any searching of the World Wide Web a slow process.
Those institutions with whom we spoke who had attempted to work with PTT to establish an account felt that PTT's technical level of knowledge and customer service was quite low. For instance, both WANAD and the USIS representative pointed out that PTT does not offer assistance in setting up the appropriate PC/TCP software that is necessary to operate on the Internet. One representative at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) expressed great frustration with PTT over his attempt to establish an email account. Two weeks after paying the initial hook-up fees, CRS still could not access its account because PTT had not yet activated the CRS password.
The development of an open ISP market should help alleviate most of the problems presented by the above barriers. WANAD and Benin Online Services System (BOSS) are two potential Internet service providers that the team identified while in the country. Further information on WANAD is provided in the section on Fast Track Pilot Activities. BOSS does not yet have a connection to the Internet through the PTT because of cost constraints, but they have established a link to the Internet through a server in California, through which they can provide email. They have also begun to develop World Wide Web sites for interested clients, and this is the kind of work they would like to focus on in the future.
AUPELF-UREF (Association des Universités Partiellement ou Entièrement de Langue Française - Université des Réseaux d'Expression Française) is a French agency concerned with higher education and research. Among various activities to promote cooperation among Francophone educators and researchers, this organization promotes the diffusion of scientific and technical information through SYFED (Systeme Francophone d'Edition et de Diffusion). AUPELF-UREF has established SYFED centers in Francophone countries throughout the world where students and researches can access reference and textual databases and CD-ROMs on various subjects.
A new AUPELF-UREF project called REFER (Rèseau Electronique Francophone pour l'Education et la Recherche) is designed to promote the development of a French information highway on the Internet to allow Francophone researchers to communicate and find information on the Internet in French. REFER access points are available through SYFED sites, although not every SYFED center is yet connected.
The Calavi-Abomey campus of the National University of Benin is the main SYFED center in Benin, although other institutions either currently or soon will have a SYFED link through the University, including the Health Sciences Faculty (Faculte des Sciences de la Sante) at UNB, the National Economic Institute (Institut National d'Economie) also at UNB, the Regional Public Health Institute (Institut Regional de Sante Publique), and the Documentation Center of the Ministry of Health. The team was unable to see an actual demonstration of the services provided through SYFED, but this is an Internet alternative of which the mission should be aware.
A 42% tariff is applied on imported computer hardware (18% on software), making already expensive items even more so. By comparison, Ghana recently moved to eliminate tariffs on such equipment. Benin could indicate its openness to broader computer access by following Ghana's lead.
Teledensity is one of the concerns when considering full, common Internet connectivity in Benin. Currently, in some areas of Cotonou, the number of lines is close to or at the saturation level. New telephone lines, necessary for Internet connections via modems, may not be available.
Another consideration is the metering of all calls, making communication within Benin and to other countries difficult and expensive. All telephone calls in Benin are charged at a metered rate, and as most institutions rely on telephone and telefax to keep in touch with their partners and colleagues, they incur high bills. Access to email can reduce these costs since email, like fax, does not require that the other party be available at the time the message is sent, but email conveys information more quickly. The telephone costs are more of a barrier to other Internet resources such as World Wide Web and gopher, since these activities require longer stretches of connect time. Reduction or removal of metered telephone rates would ease access to the Internet.
A concern among many of the institutions interviewed who collaborate closely with in-country partners was the availability and quality of rural telephone lines. Although most of the southern part of Benin has well connected telephone service, many parts of the interior of the country do not. In order for the Internet to be an effective and useful tool for institutions in Benin, people and institutions in the interior of the country need to be just as well connected as those in the south.
Most of the groups with whom the team met have at least a general awareness of the kinds of information and communication opportunities that the Internet can offer, but most people have never seen this tool in operation. Despite the general lack of exposure to the Internet, most of the people we met are very curious and excited about seeing how the Internet can help them do their work. Until people see the kinds of resources available on the Internet, it will be very difficult for them to think about strategic uses of the tool. This lack of awareness can be addressed through demonstrations, conferences, workshops and educational institutions.
Although some of the institutions with whom we met already have the necessary quality of computer (486 or Pentium) on which to run full Internet software, others do not. Fewer organizations have modems. A new 486 or Pentium computer costs from $2,000 -$3,000. Appropriate speed modems (14,400 or 28,800) cost from $350 - $800. These are significant costs even for the American PVOs with whom the Agency works. Local Beninese institutions may be able to cover some of these costs for their central offices, but equipment will also be necessary at their field offices for Internet communications to be effective within the country.
Training must be provided to develop the infrastructure to support the effective use of the Internet. Training of Internet Service Providers, similar to that currently done by the Internet Society, must be made available within Benin. But there must also be training of how to use the Internet for business and research purposes, as well as developing an understanding of the open "ownership" of the Internet and all users' responsibility to maintain its integrity. This training could be structured around basic training as well as sector interest.
Based on the Assessment Team's methodology in Ghana, the following six criteria or
indicators were developed to assist in identifying institutional readiness for the
effective use of the Internet.
This indicator is based on the institution's ability to understand and communicate its mission and main objectives to itself and to outside audiences. The institution should be able to articulate a position on the role of communication and information in the institution.
If the institution is currently producing publications, such as newsletters and research reports, and/or collecting data, as well as routinely using information and data from other organizations to accomplish their goals and make decisions, then there is a good indication that communication and information are integral to the institution's operations. These institutions could make use of the Internet for both gathering and disseminating information.
This indicator is intended to demonstrate if the institution recognizes the need for and potential use of information from outside it's usual resources. With a basic understanding of the Internet, is the institution able to articulate the potential contribution of the Internet to the institution's operations?
The institution has an identified individual to serve as catalyst/enthusiast for Internet. In order for a new technology or idea to be accepted within an organization there is a need for an individual who will be the spokesperson for the idea. This individual will persuade others within the organization of the importance of this technology as well as set an example for its effective use in the workplace.
It is expected that every institution at a minimum will probably have to upgrade and/or purchase some new equipment to use this new technology. However, for some institutions this will require a major investment above their current status. They have very few computers, and those are not powerful enough to use for the Internet. Some institutions have inadequate telephones lines. Most institutions will have to provide further training to the systems staff so support can be provided.
It is anticipated that the Internet would become a standard tool within the institution, being maintained and sustained in the operational budget in the same way the telephone or fax machine is. It is also anticipated that this resource will be used for reaching out to find new ideas and incorporate them into the institution's program. This indicator rates the ability of the institution to build into its current program the maintenance of this resource both in financial and human resource terms.
Even though very few institutions ranked high for all indicators, most institutions have at least a reasonable base on which to build in each of the six measured areas. Among the institutions for which information was available, the following percentages scored either a high or medium ranking in the six areas:
No single sector seems to stand out over the others in terms of readiness for the Internet. Some strong institutions exist in each of the mission's Strategic Objective areas including: Songhai and the National Economic Institute, in the Education/Economic Growth area; Africare and GERDDES (Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches sur la Democratie et le Developpment Economique et Social on Afrique), in the Democracy and Governance area; and the Regional Public Health Institute (IRSP), and the National Health Information System (SNIGS/Ministry of Health), in the Health and Population area. In general, private, for-profit organizations are further along technologically than most non-profit and public sector institutions because they have a more secure financial resource base and are better equipped to adapt new technologies quickly. Strong representatives of the for-profit sector include Ecobank, WANAD, BOSS, and CBS Conseil. Sustainability will be a big concern for most local NGOs.
Ecobank and WANAD are the only two institutions we identified who operate a Local Area Network (LAN). Ecobank receives technical support from two in-house technicians, and support from the Cote d'Ivoire. They are considering incorporating employees of the port in Cotonou on their LAN, as well as their other Ecobank branches within West Africa.
Regional organizations (GERDDES and WAEN) and those with projects throughout Benin, like GRAPAD, are more familiar with communications processes. GRAPAD expressed concern that Internet technologies might not benefit them as their needs lie in communications with their rural counterparts, many of whom do not have the hardware or infrastructure to support the Internet.
Following we present a summary of the data gathered from institutional surveys. We do not identify individual institutional results here, but rather try to present general observations based on patterns observed in the responses. Individual institutional results will be made available in electronic and print format once the data entry instrument is prepared and data is entered for each responding institution. The following observations are based on results obtained from 35 institutions either directly through use of the survey form or through team notes taken at the time of the interview. There are varying levels of thoroughness for the different institutions, but the following general observations are possible:
Information Resources
Internet Use
As a result of the institutional assessments, the team identified several possible
fast-track pilot institutions in Benin through whom USAID can work to incorporate the
Internet into its programs. Summaries of these institutions and potential activities are
provided below. Given the Africa Bureau and USAID/Cotonou interest in further developing
these ideas, the S.O. 3 Assessment Team will assist in preparing more detailed activity
descriptions, scopes of work, indicators, etc.
West African News Agencies Development project, based in Cotonou, is a regional organization, founded in 1984 through a German-funded UNESCO project, covering fifteen countries. WANAD's main objective is to improve the quality of media in West Africa to report accurately and knowledgeably on social and economic development. The project provides training workshops for journalists, managers, technicians and documentalists of national news agencies. WANAD also supplies the agencies with modern technical equipment for the collection and dissemination of news. In June 1995, WANAD project became the WANAD Center and now is a self-financing institution. Recently, WANAD has sought to expand the scope of its training to include demonstrations of the Internet. WANAD has a computer lab with 13 computers (nine 386s and four Pentiums), 11 modems (five at 2,400 baud, five and 14,400 baud, and one at 28,800 baud), and 1 CD-ROM reader. They operate a Novell LAN. They have a sophisticated conference room with an estimated seating capacity of 50-75 people. In the Spring of 1996, WANAD established an Internet account through the PTT. In addition to providing Internet demonstrations and training, they are very interested in becoming and Internet service provider. They provide training in both French and English. WANAD stands out as an institution that is ready to move ahead quickly in the Internet arena as a potential service provider and/or as a demonstration center.
The GLOBE project is a worldwide science and education program coordinating the work of students, teachers and scientists to study and understand global environment. There are currently 8 schools in Benin who are participating in the Project by submitting daily environmental data. Unfortunately these schools are not connected to the Internet and therefore cannot submit their data directly, nor can they participate in Internet Globe school community. Benin is the first African country to submit data to the Globe project. They are very enthusiastic and quite anxious to participate fully. Each of the schools has a computer, and provides an excellent opportunity to develop a classroom oriented Internet pilot project. None of the schools are using the computers for anything other than entering Globe environmental data, though desire was expressed for training so they could do more. None had any educational software. Consequently the students had little exposure to the potential of computers and none to the online world.
Songhai is a self supporting young adult training center specializing in rural development, agricultural techniques and appropriate technology. Through the running of 80 farms, young adults get on the job training to best practices and new approaches to all agriculturally related issues. Songhai grows all its own food, builds all its buildings and repairs its equipment. It is continually experimenting with new agricultural strains, products and techniques. Father Nzamujo, the Director of Songhai, is a computer scientist and would like to incorporate the use of the Internet into the research and development done at Songhai. He sees many opportunities for sharing of ideas, as well as learning of new developments. Father is an Internet enthusiast and uses the Net extensively when he is not in Benin. He feels that the introduction of Internet to Africa is the only hope for Africa to move into the current century. He feels that since there is no hope for financing an infrastructure of roads, telephones, etc. to enhance communication within the African continent, the only viable direction is with the Internet. He thinks the Internet is the virtual alternative to the African village. Because of Father's interests, Songhai currently has all the equipment necessary to establish an Internet link. Experimental pilot projects could easily be developed within the context of the current training at Songhai.
GERDDES, headquartered in Cotonou, is a regional NGO with a presence in most African countries, promoting democracy and development. Founded in 1990, they are involved in several long term civic education projects in human rights, elections, and freedom of the press. They maintain relationships with several international organizations, including the United Nations. GERDDES publishes bulletins, and conference papers, and a quarterly newsletter. They have an information center holding about 150 books and 15 periodicals, with materials in both English and French.
They place an emphasis on staying in touch with their affiliates, though their methods of communication and information sharing are expensive (DHL). Members are selected on their professional attributes, and most are widely traveled. They are looking to the Internet primarily to improve their communications and disseminate their publications, but as they are expanding their programs, they also see its use as a research tool. They have 7 PCs, 3 laser printers and one (not-yet-installed) modem.
IRSP
is a regional training and research center in public health which trains specialists in health field work and in social science research. IRSP also provides evaluation of public health services in other countries in the region as well as assisting faculties of other public health schools. They have a small library, but rather sophisticated computer capacity, including access to CD-ROM materials and a connection to the Internet through SYFED. They have had difficulty with their modem, so their use of Internet has been minimal at this point. The director of IRSP, Dr. Pathe Diallo, is an Internet enthusiast, and they are eager to pursue possible pilot activities with the Agency in the area of health education and research.
Once policy and technical constraints are eliminated and affordable Internet access can be
made available to the public, the following recommendations form the structure for the
Leland Initiative Country implementation Strategy of Benin. More detailed development of
these ideas will occur once they have been reviewed by USAID/Cotonou and the Africa
Bureau.
The first step is to organize an extensive Internet exposition where local media handle the publicity of the multi-day event, and the demonstrations target all potential users, with a special emphasis on private sector interests. This will allow the general public to see how the Internet operates, get some hands on introduction, and receive some basic instruction on what is required to operate on the Internet. This level of introduction is necessary to begin the process of assimilating the use of electronic information and networking into organizations.
USAID does not have an internet connection, though they need one as soon as possible. Once established, personnel need to be provided training on development information resources and how they can best use the Internet. This training is important in that in order for USAID/Cotonou to promote effective use of this technology among its development partners in Benin, staff must first become familiar enough with this resource and its potential uses to be able to provide encouragement and direction to partners. This may warrant bringing the Leland point person from the mission to Washington for training and/or administering an Internet Resources Training Workshop at USAID/Cotonou. R&RS staff have conducted such workshops at USAID Missions in the past and could design and conduct this training. The training centers around raising awareness and giving Mission staff hands on experience with the valuable Internet resources they can use to do their jobs more effectively. This training can have special sector level tracks and can be scheduled over a five day period.
As part of the Internet Resources Training, or as a separate activity, R&RS could develop materials and training to assist USAID/Cotonou (and other participating Missions) in learning how to incorporate assistance for Internet connectivity and related technologies into the project planning stage. Using the assessments that have already been performed or conducting additional assessments among current or potential USAID partners, R&RS could advise USAID/Cotonou and the Africa Bureau on the type and level of assistance needed in given institutions in order to introduce or expand Internet connectivity. At the project design stage, R&RS could assist USAID/Cotonou and the Africa Bureau in designing Internet related assistance activities, including the development of indicators on how to measure the impact or contribution of Internet connectivity in an institution.
As USAID/Cotonou is one of the early USAID Missions participating in the Leland Initiative, important practical experience can be gained through the implementation of selected fast-track pilot activities such as those indicated previously in this report. It is recommended that USAID/Cotonou and the Africa Bureau select those pilot activities to receive Agency support and begin to develop more fully the ideas that have been presented here. Again, R&RS could assist in the planning and activity design for these pilots and could provide valuable technical assistance in Internet training in selected institutions.
To encourage and promote Internet usage among institutions who may not have the financial and/or technical capacity, USAID should establish a proposal-based small grant mechanism for new users to buy equipment and training.
Though it is not USAID's role, the mission--with Washington's help--should facilitate Internet Society involvement in providing training and guidance for potential new and current Internet Service Providers.
To follow-up on the introduction provided by the exposition, Internet Demonstration and Training Centers would provide the following types of services: a) free, public demonstrations; b) fee-based Internet accounts and Internet workstations for those without access to computers at home or in the office; c) fee-based end user training; d) fee-based Web page development and training; e) free Institutional Information and Communication Strategy consulting; f) fee-based Internet publishing consulting services and training; and g) free proposal development consulting for Internet related activities. It could be the role of the Benin Internet Society to set up and run this type of center, or some other public or private sector entity could establish it.
USAID should facilitate the creation of a discussion/support forum for new users, perhaps involving the Internet Society. USAID may wish to provide nominal assistance to the formalization of a Benin Internet Society, perhaps as a national chapter of the official Internet Society. USAID would likely have to provide guidance on how to set up and operate an effective professional society. This type of society could do much of the marketing and awareness raising that will need to occur in Benin as long term follow-up to the national workshop. This society may also serve the purpose of bringing together the principals of international donors currently working on or interested in working on Internet related activities in Benin.
As per the second level barrier, once the Internet is established in the south, USAID/Cotonou needs to consider a strategy for rural communications in Benin.
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