Information technology can change Mozambique’s democratic landscape

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Information technology can change Mozambique’s democratic landscape

11:08 CAT | 07 Jun 2017

USAID / Information technology and communication warrant a higher participation of citizens at a political and democratic level

According to Andreas Perez Fransius, special political and economic advisor to the Sweden Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique’s challenge lies in the expansion of information and communication technology and its ability to turn these tools into factors of economic development and democratic debate.

In parallel to a meeting with Mozambicans who took part to the Stockholm Internet Forum 2017 between 16 and 18 May last month, he said to journalists that Mozambique still faces obstacles that it must overcome in this respect.

“Those challenges are typical of a developing country that seeks to increase access to information technology and communication and to educate people on how to use those technologies in an efficient manner”, said Andreas Perez Fransius.

The advisor considers that a greater inclusion of society into information technology and communication should result in more economic opportunities and enhance the democratic process dynamics of the country.

“Information sharing is essential to the good functioning of the private sector, which needs to know that opportunities exist, what price one must pay to suppliers and vendors and that these suppliers effectively exist”, he added .

As a matter of fact, information and communication technology warrant a higher participation of citizens at a political and democratic level. “We’re clearly aware that these tools offer a platform for public debate”, underscored Andreas Perez Fransius, yesterday before several journalists.

In this sense, Adreas Perez Fransius explained that the next general election cycle in Mozambique should be an opportunity to capitalise on those technologies in order to promote a more inclusive and transparent election process. “The current political and economic system does not yet reflect Mozambique’s diversity, but information and communication technology can bring a change to this situation.”

Source: Lusa