SA ranks 52nd in Global Techno Report

The World Economic Forum ended it's Africa sessions in Cape Town last week,and while technology wasn't really in the spotlight, the Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009 provides a valuable insight into how South Africa fares against other countries, as well as our strengths and weakness in terms of ICT. The Global Information Technology Report is the "most comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of ICT on development process and the competitiveness of nations". Basically it evaluates the environment, readiness and usage of ICT and its impact on development and its role as a catalyst for growth.

Specifically. . .
The environment for ICT offered by a give country,
The readiness of the economy's key stakeholders - individuals, business and governments
The usage of ICT among those stakeholders

The top scorers were Denmark, Sweden and the United States. For overall Network Readiness Index, South Africa ranked 52nd.

South Africa's 10 best ranks:
Financial market sophistication 12
Number of procedures to reinforce a contract 14
Extent of staff training 15
Efficiency of legal framework for disputes 20
Property Rights 20
Prevalence of foreign technology licensing 22
Intellectual property protection 23
Local Supplier quality 24
Extent and effect of taxation 25
Quality of management schools 25


And South Africa's 10 worst ranks. . . no surprises here. . .
Quality of math and science education 132
Availability of new telephone lines 113
Quality of competition in the ISP sector 112
Quality of the educational system 110
Availability of scientists and engineers 110
Internet users 97
Residential monthly telephone subscription 97
Government success in ICT promotion 95
Burden of government regulation 95
Tertiary education enrollment 94


What this shows is that while we are faring well in terms of policy and framework, we are falling drastically short on a basic and fundamental environment conducive to development not only for ICT but also by ICT. Our weakest points seems to be in education and competition in the ICT sector which affects prices and usage.

So while we enter a new dispensation hopefully the General will make significant inroads into developing the ICT sector, and make South Africa more competitive in the global arena.