Afghanistan Assessment

October 2007

IJMA3

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• Introduction: Current Situation in Afghanistan

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• Statistics• Population: 31,889,923• 44.6% of the population < 15

years old• Population density: 46/km² -

150th in the world• 70% of the population live

outside of urban areas• Literacy: 28.1 of the population• Income Per Capita: $335

• ICT

• 2.5 Million own a mobile phone: 8% of the population

• 250,000 landline phones: Less than 1% of the population

• Increase from 30,000(2005) to 535,000(2007) Internet usage: 1-2% of the population

• Cost for 1 hour of internet use: $1

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• IJMA3’s Objectives for the Assessment:

• Identify training locations• Identify local organizations• Identify local individuals• Identify local training

providers• Identify comparable donor

funded programs• Identify publicity channels• Identify similar local

organizations

• Understand impediments to business

• Understand youth attitudes toward IT

• Understand youth career tracks

• Understand youth job preparation practices

• Assess market IT readiness• Understand skills

deficiencies in the labour force

• Emphasize opportunities in agri-business

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• Summary of Methodology Employed for the Assessment

• Locations: Kabul, Kandahar, and Laskar Gah

• IJMA3 worked with Afghan nationals to help conduct surveys and provide translation, Mercy Corps (MC), and the Afghan Computer Science Association (ACSA)

1. Members of various ministries of the Government of Afghanistan2. Secondary school students3. University students4. Educational leaders (Secondary School Principals, University

Professors, University Deans)5. Agricultural workers6. ICT retailers and wholesalers7. Internet café patrons

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Sector TrendsGovernment:

1. Lack of access to computers in most departments

2. Lack of training despite numerous e-government initiatives

3. Lack of funds to train, monitor, and maintain were indicated as the main impediments to an adequate system

GoA believed in the importance of ICT-related technology in that it could help:

1. Organize Data

2. Catalogue Data

3. Improve inter-departmental flows of information

4. Improve inter-ministerial flows of information

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Secondary Students:

1. Overcrowded classrooms2. Few Computers3. Poor Infrastructure4. Lack of trained computer teachers5. Lack of funds to repair broken

computers6. Lack of funds to pay for internet

connection

Outside the classroom:1. Very Expensive to use Netcafés2. Limited Access in rural areas3. Cultural Acceptance – Modern

Technologies

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Kandahar LashkarGar

InternetAccess atHome

InternetAccessthroughCafés

No Access toInternet

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University Students:

76% respondents indicated no previous access to computers prior to their arrival at Kabul University – Widely considered to be the best University in Afghanistan

-Access to ICT is available (Computers labs, digital library)

-Not enough for all 14,000 students

-Internet connection in only 4 out of 14 faculties

-no funds for IT maintenance

-lack of training provided – (Funds, donors, and retention)

-Professor’s find difficulty to ingrate modern technologies into coursework

-Material in some departments is from the 1970’s

-Internet Content

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• Educational Leaders:• (University Chancellors, University Deans, University Professors, Secondary School

Principals, Secondary School teachers

• Views towards how ICT can help their faculties

– Accessing information from outside Afghanistan– Enhancing skills needed in the work force– Aiding in the presentation and organization of lectures (PowerPoint, projectors, microphones, photocopiers,

etc.)

–Training staff to monitor internet usage and repair computers

Constraints?

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“ICT Sector Boom”

• ISPs• NGOs

• Telecom• Computer Shops

• Internet Cafés

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• Deficiencies

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• Lessons Learned from the Assessment

• Next Steps – Submit Concept, Implement Pilot projects