Page 123 - sadc40en

Regional ICT Achievements and Milestones Table 4.6

Project Status
SADC Most SADC Member States have setup cross­border transmission links using optical
Regional Information fibre technology as envisaged under the SADC Regional Infrastructure (SRII), a
Infrastructure regional programme for developing regional optic fibre links, terrestrial backhauls,
backbones access networks and migration to all IP Network. The intervention has
allowed Landlocked Member States (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia
and Zimbabwe) to connect to the submarine cables on either or both the east and
west coast of Africa under the SRII Phase I.
National and Regional To date, all SADC Member States have established at least one operational NIXP.
Internet Exchange Points Evidence on internet usage indicates that SADC average Internet User Penetration was
22.3% (ranging from 8.6% to 58.8%) compared to 51.2% of world percentage of individuals
using the Internet. The SADC average households with Internet access is at 27.8%.
World households with Internet access was 57.8% (ITU Data of December 2017).
Development and The first phase commenced with the development of the SADC ICT Observatory Data
Operationalisation of the Collection Framework in 2017 and SADC the Model Survey Forms to assist National
SADC ICT Observatory Statistic Offices in Member States to create their multi­purpose annual surveys. SADC
ICT Observatory and Broadband Indicators were also approved for implementation
by Member States. Capacity building of 8 Member States on ICT for Development
Index (IDI) has been conducted.
National and Regional A National and Regional Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) and Public Key
Incident Response Teams to Infrastructure (PKI) was introduced as part of e­SADC Strategic Framework. The
Support Cybersecurity initiative provides an institutional mechanism that supports the implementation of
the SADC Harmonised Legal and Regulatory Framework on Cybersecurity which 113
consists of three model laws: E­Transaction/ E­Commerce, Data Protection and Cyber
Crime. Member States are at various levels of implementation for this project.
Wider Reach through Digital The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) was initiated to provide consumers with more
Terrestrial Television efficient use of radio frequency spectrum as well as better quality pictures and
sound. Member States are also at various stages of implementing this project.
Financial Inclusion through Under the e­Post, the SADC Postal Strategy (2017­2020) and SADC Postal Financial
E­commerce Inclusion Strategy were developed with the aim of reducing the number of adult
population in the Southern Africa region that remains unbanked or underbanked.
Member States are also implementing an e­commerce project supported by the
Universal Postal Union (UPU).
SADC Roaming Project The SADC Roaming Project is aimed at developing a policy and regulatory framework
for the provision of affordable mobile roaming voice, SMS and data services in the
SADC, in order to lower international mobile roaming rates within in the region. The
project is at various stages of implementation within SADC Member States.
SADC Guidelines on ICT and The SADC Guidelines on ICT and Broadcasting Infrastructure Sharing and the
Broadcasting Infrastructure recommendations in the ICT and Broadcasting Infrastructure Sharing Study Report
Sharing were approved for implementation by the September 2017 Ministerial meeting in
South Africa.
Geo­stationary Orbit Satellite A framework for the SADC Regional Shared Satellite Programme was adopted in
Communications Network 2019. Its primary aim is to develop a SADC shared geo­stationary orbit satellite
communications network which provides telecommunications services in the region.
E­post Concept The SADC Postal Strategy includes the e­Post concept. This involves the automation
of postal systems within Member States so that they can provide digital services that
support the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Such services include the provision of
internet access to the public, digital financial services and e­Government support.

Source SADC Secretariat 2020