Abstract
M.Tech. (Engineering: Electrical)
In this study, we explore the DRC ICT environment and propose an ICT Innovation System. We
also explore the RSA ICT Innovation System for comparability. The theoretical frameworks used
are Actor-network Theory (ANT) and Capability Approach (CA). These frameworks allows us to
understand interaction and interrelationship between different actors (human and non-human)
i.e. actor-network with aligned interest which is ICT and socio-economic environment for
producing successful network. CA allows us to understand ICTs as a commodity that provides
opportunities by increasing capability.
We use a mixed methods approach, consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods to collect
and analyse the data. The interpretation was made in an integrative manner, findings of
qualitative and quantitative are mixed for interpretation. Participants involved in the study were
two DRC organizations for qualitative study: Ministry of Health (MoH) and Free University of
Great Lakes (FUGL) with which we conducted four interviews. Other participants in the
quantitative study are individuals that completed survey questionnaires with one hundred people
at Eldorado Park in Gauteng province (RSA) and one hundred at Lemba in Kinshasa province
(DRC). The emerged themes from our sampling were ICT partnership public-private; ICT
Human resources; ICT Infrastructure; ICT4D (e-health, e-education, e-agriculture, universal
access); Government ICT initiatives and ICT services and applications used. Findings as well as
recommendations, based on themes and building block, consisting of actors and networks –
institutions – knowledge, related to Sectoral Innovation System (SIS) applied to DRC ICT sector
realities, showed: the necessity of transnational network between DRC Government - Private
ICT Company & Investors - International & Regional Organizations for the establishment of
models of ICT innovative projects, ICT legal framework and ICT finance. These actors and
network will respond to socio-economic challenges such as poverty, illiteracy and disease
through ICTs. We propose an ICT Innovation System for the DRC where the Government
agencies, R&D centres, NGOs, public and private ICT companies, international and regional
organisations will work together for ICT knowledge diffusion, cheap ICT solutions and an
innovative legal for ICT framework specifically for DRC.