The United States on Tuesday launched a modest program to help bridge the digital divide between developing countries and the developed world.
Starting in Senegal, one of the first sub-Saharan African countries to make significant investments in technology, the program will spend $2-million over three years to help reduce poverty and encourage free-market growth. It also will use resources provided by the private sector and non-governmental organisations, Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced in a White House ceremony.
The program will send 100 volunteers from companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems and others to Senegal to share technology expertise with small businesses. The departments of Commerce and State, as well as the Federal Communications Commission and the US Agency for International Development, will help promote pro-growth regulatory and legal structures in the country.
Officials will help turn existing networks — such as cybercafes — into better resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Peace Corps volunteers also will get involved.
If successful, the programme could be rolled out to another 20 countries over five years, officials said. – Sapa-AP