Global Objective:
To facilitate the implementation of socio-economic development programmes of ECOWAS Institutions & Member States through a regional framework (constituting policy direction strategies and plans of action) in the direction and use of ICTs for development in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Program Achievement thus far:

i) Formation of National Computer Society in the Gambia, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.
ii) Adoption and approval of the Information Technology Policy document for ECOWAS by Management.

Program Justification

i) Decision establishing the Community Computer Centre 06/86
ii) Decision and Recommendation of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS).
iii) Strategic Goals and Objectives G.5.1 – Enhance the technical and analytical skills of staff in all relevant areas in order to create knowledge-based ECOWAS Institutions

Program Activities

i) Deployment of Sectoral Applications on the Intranet
ii) Continued support to deployment of ICTs for Development
iii) Development of IT Master Plan for ECOWAS Institutions
iv) Setting up of National Computer Society in ten Member States
v) Continued Partnership and Networking

Performance Indicators:

i) Timely production of Policy documents
ii) IT Master Plan document validated by Institutions.

SUB-PROGRAM 1.1:   DEVELOPMENT OF ECOWAS INSTITUTIONS IT STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN

This program aims to develop an ICT Master Plan for all ECOWAS Institutions, Specialized Agencies and projects aligned with regional strategy. The Master Plan will define a vision for the use of ICT services as a strategic tool; review and finalize existing ICT Policy documents to support the administrative functions and business operations of all ECOWAS Institutions; and will align with the strategic vision of ECOWAS and be flexible to adapt to the dynamic changes in modern technologies.

The plan would require the review of the enterprise ICT Infrastructure, Resources and ICT document of ECOWAS (where it exists). It will highlight current strengths, weaknesses and identify/recommend improvement strategies. The plan will also set a roadmap covering all strategic areas of ICT operations.

The plan should describe the organizational structure, skill requirement and capacity building that it deems mandatory to be adopted, to enable the CCC coordinate the implementation of the ICT strategy. The description should identify the various organs to steer the project, their roles and their levels of intervention. The master plan should also set out the overall project risk and mitigation strategies.

Sub-Program 1.1   Activities

Activities to be carried out during the year include the following:

• Facilitating and working with the consultant during course of study
• Provision of information and necessary documentation
• Organisation of inception/meeting on the study
• Validation by the Commission
• Validated draft document by the Commission ready to be presented at a workshop for validation by representatives of Institutions.

Sub-Program 1.2:    IT PARTNERSHIP AND NETWORKING

The program aims to build partnership and networking with organizations (national, regional and international) to provide an avenue for the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and promote best practices within the region through promotion of interaction, learning and sharing of best practices in the ICT domain.

a) The mission of the ECOWAS Regional Computer Society (ERCS) is to provide an avenue for the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and promote best practices within the region. Establishment of the ERCS is in line with the regional ICT objective of CCC and will complement work currently being carried out. It will act as a means to facilitate the accessibility and dissemination of information to a wider audience through innovative e-products and services. It is envisaged that the ERCS will provide a platform for enhancing ICT revolution in West Africa.

b) Benefits for partnering with FOSS organizations include;

i) Encourage the exploit of the use of Open Source in Member States to stimulate innovation;
ii) Develop capacity in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and establish strong, fruitful partnerships with FOSS advocacy groups such as the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA);
iii) Provide platform for ECOWAS governments, ICT Companies, academia and non-profit sector to exchange idea openly on how ICT can be used to accelerate development in the region.

Sub-Program 1.2     Activities

a) Study on the ECOWAS ICT Strategy Definition & Master Plan

Activities to be carried out during the year include the following:

• Facilitating and working with the consultant during course of study
• Provision of information and necessary documentation
• Organisation of inception/meeting on the study
• Validation by the Commission
• Validated draft document by the Commission ready to be presented at a workshop for validation by representatives of Institutions.

Participation is by resource persons who is expected to carry out study of all Institutions’ programmes and activities and come up with a comprehensive strategy and Master Plan for the Community that will be presented for adoption.

All the Institutions will be visited at the following locations: Abuja, Dakar, Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso, Accra and Lome.
b) ECOWAS Regional Computer Society Consultation Exercise

The mission of the ECOWAS Regional Computer Society (ERCS) is to provide an avenue for the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and promote best practices within the region.

Establishment of the ERCS is in line with the regional ICT objective of CCC and will complement work currently being carried out. It will act as a means to facilitate the accessibility and dissemination of information to a wider audience through innovative e-products and services. It is envisaged that the ERCS will provide a platform for enhancing ICT revolution in West Africa.

There is a provision of a grant of $10,000 to be split between Member States who require support.

c) Free & Open Source Software for West Africa, Conference

In line with the ECOWAS programme on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) with a global objective to promote inter-institutional cooperation and encourage best practices in ICT development within the ECOWAS sub-region with minimal cost, ECOWAS support for Free Software and Open Source is very important. Partnership with the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) and other associations will afford the promotion of free and open source software to boost use of ICT for development in the region at very low cost.

d) International Telecommunication Union(ITU)/United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) conference

There is the need for participation at the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa ICT fora. Such World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) are usually jointly organized by UNESCO, ITU, UNCTAD and UNDP in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum provides structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on topical ICT issues. It is a major avenue that provides policy and technical guidance for harnessing information for development.