The following is a brief excerpt of the Leland
Information and Communication Strategic Objective Report for Mali.




Strategic Objective 3: End User Applications


Country Assessment and Implementation Strategy: Mali

Leland Initiative: Africa Global Information
Infrastructure Gateway Project



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

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:

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.

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 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:

  1. Decentralization for an increased participation of the civil society, requiring that information be available to all citizens (especially those in rural areas);

  2. The modernization and strengthening of the telecommunications sector;

  3. Increased private investments;

  4. Increased exports; and

  5. 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, 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 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 range from 50,000 CFA to 200,000 CFA (approximately $100 to $400), and monthly fees range from 5,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA (approximately $10 to $100). For each message sent and received a 200 CFA (approximately $.40) per kilobyte is charged.

The two most commonly heard complaints about local e-mail service was that these organizations do not stock interfacing software and modems to support e-mail user needs and are weak on technical customer support (i.e., unable to trouble-shoot client problems in a timely manner if at all). In Bamako, there are office supply stores that sell personal computers, xerox machines, etc. However, none stocked the interfacing e-mail software or modems. It was recommended by several e-mail users that as the Internet Service Provider (ISP) industry develops in Mali, each ISP should supply modems and interfacing software to Internet users.

2.3 Rural Access

Wireless technologies are employed in the rural regions of Mali to provide a mode of communication to areas that were left behind by the old telephone infrastructure. SOTELMA was providing VSAT connections to the north (i.e., Douentza, Zegoua, Kouri, Deboly, and Nara) at the time of the Leland Initiative's SO2 assessment. However, there is a great deal of demand (with an approximate waiting list tallying over 10,000) for telephone service within Bamako and from Bamako to other cities. The Leland team recommended that wireless technology development include the telecommunication strategy for the urban sector as well since demand for telephone lines exceed the existing supply.

3.0 The Leland Initiative Strategic Objective 3 Strategy

The purpose of the Leland Initiative in Mali is to bring the benefits of the global information highway to the country through Internet connectivity. The first step needed to achieve this objective requires increasing the supply of connectivity. The first step is followed closely by the second step which requires creating a demand to successfully apply this connectivity to the challenges of sustainable development information efforts. In keeping with these steps the Leland Initiative SO3 team developed assessment tools and training approaches that would identify and support an Internet Service Provider industry and a dynamic and growing user base. The tools used by the Leland Initiative SO3 team included:

  1. Internet Readiness Assessments and Strategy Development: The SO3 team assesses the Internet readiness of USAID field missions and their host country development partners. The objective of this assessment is to identify the fast-track USAID partners to serve as pilot projects and develop a strategy to integrate Internet use in development activities.

  2. Internet Applications Training: The SO3 team conducts a workshop which includes training, brainstorming, and action planning activities to provide Internet tools that may be incorporated throughout USAID/Mali and their development partners' activities.

  3. Demonstration Pilot Projects: The End-User Application Country Assessment and Action Plan for each field mission is a report summarizing the assessment findings and pilot projects recommended to demonstrate the application of Internet connectivity to specific development challenges.

  4. Internet Best Practices: The Leland Initiative SO3 team has begun to collect and disseminate information and lessons learned on the use of the Internet to foster sustainable development for decision-makers throughout the donor and host country communities.

3.0.1 Assessment Process

The Leland Initiative was geared toward working within the Strategic Objective teams established priorities. This process depended on the mission to identify partners, collaborators, and institutions that the Leland team should interview as potential fast-track pilot. The identification process used six basic criteria to measure an institution's readiness for effective Internet use:

  1. Institutional information and communication strategy: This indicator is based on the institution's ability to understand and communicate to itself and to an outside audience its mission and main objectives.

  2. An institution's information use: This indicator reflects the importance an institution places on generating information and using information to accomplish its goals and make decisions.

  3. Recognize potential contribution of Internet to institutional mission: This indicator is intended to demonstrate if the institution recognizes the need for and potential use of information from outside its usual resources.

  4. Champion: This indicator is intended to identify an individual to serve as catalyst/enthusiast for Internet use.

  5. Telecommunication and computer infrastructure: This indicator identifies an institution's need to upgrade and/or purchase equipment to use this new technology.

  6. Potential for sustainability: This indicator is intended to anticipate the Internet becoming a standard tool within the institution, being maintained and sustained in the operational budget.

By incorporating these six basic criteria (see Annex A for a complete explanation of indicators) into a survey tool, 43 USAID/Mali partners, collaborators, and other institutions were interviewed in ten working days. (See Annex B for survey tools). The assessment concluded with a presentation on the findings and an Internet demonstration to USAID/Mali and partners.

3.0.2 Assessment Findings

Institutions were ranked according to their readiness for effective Internet use. Most institutions (61 percent) interviewed were aware of the advantages of e-mail use as a communication tool and were committed to efficient development information management systems. There was an overwhelming desire for Internet training of all Internet applications. The two primary constraints holding these institutions back from using e-mail are the lack of financial capital and the limited number of individuals within the organization that can maintain the technology.

3. 1 Fast-Track Organizations

Of the 43 institutions interviewed, six institutions are cited as potential fast-track organizations. Working with these institutions would result in the greatest end-user impact, with highest results. The reason is that these organizations are aware of the Internet and its potential uses, they desire staff training, and they have an institutional information and communication strategy in place, which the Internet can support. The potential fast track organizations include:

ENSup, already a targeted project for USAID/Mali's Special Objective for Information and Communication, would not only strengthen the University system by providing access to worldwide research resources and international communications but would also provide a resource center for alumni. ENSup would be an example of academic Internet use for other higher education facilities nation-wide.

The Internet would be instrumental in achieving the goals of CCA ONG, already dedicated to the capacity-building of Malian NGOs, which supports USAID/Mali's good governance strategic objective. They provide resources to their members (soon to include e-mail connectivity) which will contribute to their objective to build a strong information and communication component into their activities. They already have electronic information banks in place, and hope to use the Internet to increase their membership and to improve Malian NGO ability to participate in development decision-making.

The Director of the Mission de Decentralization would like to use the Internet to help facilitate the decentralization efforts from Bamako to the regional level. This decentralization goal supports the missions' vision of using the Internet as a tool to develop a national strategy of decentralization. It is important for the Government not only to develop a friendly Internet policy environment but also be a technology user--to properly guide legislation in this field and to develop a dependence for information technologies.

The Cellule in the Ministry of Health has already started 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. The statistics gathered would be a valuable resource to health researchers and practitioners world-wide.

Institut d'Economie Rural is the main agricultural research structure in Mali governed by the Minister of Rural Development and Environment. Its mandate throughout Mali is to develop and implement agricultural research programs, disseminate research results, and provide technical assistance to farmers, a program that supports the development information component of USAID/Mali's SO2: to increase incomes in areas of high productive potential. IER already communicates with its six regional offices by e-mail.

The West African Enterprise Network is an organization that is involved with regional trade (i.e., high volumes of export of rice, onion, beans, millet, corn, and meat) in 11 African countries. The Network plays a role of promoting regional trade for Malian products. USAID/Mali SO2 team already work in other capacity with many of the Network members.

3.2 Next Steps

This assessment revealed that Internet assistance varied from player to player (i.e., USAID/Mali, fast-track organizations, other organizations, the ISP industry, donors, and private voluntary organizations). Therefore, recommended action steps were created to target these needs.

3.2.1 USAID/Mali Staff and Fast-Track Institutions

USAID/Mali is one of over forty USAID missions with a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT). VSATs were originally installed in USAID missions to provide connectivity to USAID/Washington as required for implementation of USAID's New Management System applications; however, a VSAT can also be used to provide direct, full Internet connectivity to the USAID mission staff.

If USAID/Mali is to effectively promote Internet use for sustainable development in Mali, then the mission (as a whole) must first become more Internet literate and demonstrate to its development partners what the Internet can contribute to an institution's information and communication strategy. It is recommended that the mission staff learn basic Internet applications such as Listservs, Telnet, Gopher, and World Wide Web. It is further recommended that each SO team prepare a SO specific action plan to integrate, with partner organizations, the Internet as an information and communication tool to reach sustainable development goals.

The six fast-track organizations require that USAID invest resources into their organizations so that they may effectively utilize and promote Internet use in Mali. They were selected for their high degree of Internet awareness, their ability to produce immediate results, and their potential to successfully demonstrate to other partners the value of the Internet. Recommended action steps include:

3.2.2 Other Development Institutions

The remaining USAID/Mali partners interviewed scored low on their institution's information awareness and technology advancements assessment. These organizations demonstrated that they need more support than what USAID/Mali can provide. However, their needs reflect the needs of most Malian institutions (i.e., lack of computers, reporting system not yet computerized, etc.) and a strategy should therefore be developed to assist these organizations. At USAID/Mali's discretion, organizations not interviewed during the Leland SO3 assessment should also participate in this strategy, when possible. Listed below are some guidelines for action:

3.2.3 Internet Service Provider Industry

It is important for the Initiative to support an open business environment to cultivate a healthy and competitive Internet Service Provider industry that will contribute to meeting end-user demands. For example, the mission could begin by circulating the essence of the Memorandum of Understanding to potential ISPs which may discourage the Government from monopolizing the ISP industry. More specifically, to encourage a competitive ISP industry in Mali it is recommended that USAID/Mali take the following steps:

3.2.4 Donors

It is recommended that the Mission Director continue introducing and promoting Internet use in development activities among donors. The Leland Initiative provides an organizational framework for donors to coordinate their efforts, improve the local communication infrastructure, and promote relevant applications of Internet technologies for indigenous institutions.

It is also recommended that USAID/Mali work with the Canadians (CIDA) on building an Internet training and technical assistance program in Mali. The Canadians expressed to the Leland Initiative SO3 team that they would like to provide French language Internet resources and training programs. It is recommended that donors develop an action plan based on this community's experiences and expertise in the area Information Technology.

3.2.5 Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs)

Most of the PVOs interviewed have e-mail connection and use the connection to communicate with their home office in the United States. However, most of the PVOs lack resources and work with very poor, rural non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that can't afford to computerize their offices. Under these conditions Internet connectivity should be viewed as a long-range communication tool strategy. It is recommended that USAID/Mali encourage PVO partners to work at developing a communication and information management component with their NGO partners, and where possible, provide the hardware and encourage computer use to track inventory and prepare reports. Computer literacy is an important skill to develop before an organization is ready to use the Internet.

In cases where Internet applications are not appropriate, other fora for information exchange should be explored, such as information communication conferences, site visits, and postal service. Information exchange will enable institutions to share ideas and lessons learned, allowing them to work more effectively. It is recommended that USAID/Mali address PVO information strategies in the Development Information and Communication Training Workshop, as SO teams discuss how to integrate an information component in partners' activities.

4.0 Conclusion

The fast track institutions identified through the Leland Initiative SO3 assessment process are USAID/Mali's partners. Because of their understanding of the value of information and the networks in which they participate, these institutions are ideal models for other development institutions looking to become more effective through the use of information and technology. With little investment from USAID/Mali, these fast tracks will demonstrate and facilitate the effective and relevant use of the Internet to development organizations throughout Mali.

With the help of the Leland Initiative, USAID/Mali can also promote the Internet industry, thereby improving services and reducing costs to the client. By working and coordinating with donors in all of these Internet activities, USAID can become that much more effective in promoting Internet technologies and development information.


References

Billings, Jim, Steve Furst, and Yacouba Konate. Mali Telecommunications: Analysis and Recommendations for the Information and Communications Special Objective. Abt Associates, June 1996.

FY 1997 Congressional Presentation: Mali. USAID, 1996.

Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Mali the United States of America (Leland Initiative MOU). USAID, August 6, 1996.

USAID/Mali Information & Communications Special Objective Result Plan. USAID, 1996.

USAID/Mali Results Review, 1996-2002. USAID, 1996.

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