Abstract

The study is an examination of the potential for the least developed countries of the world to develop information and communication technologies (ICTs) in aid of their social and economic development. It is felt that without the new technologies of information and communication these poorest countries will experience an ever widening of the development gaps that presently separate them from the more developed nations. This study focuses on four necessary criteria, or ingredients for the development of ICTs: the ability to fund ICTs, the presence of telecommunications infrastructures, the level of electrical generating capacity, and the capacity to provide trained scientists and technicians to develop, utilize and maintain ICTs. Individual measures for each of these criteria are developed, and these are used in combination to measure the relative ICT development potential within each of the 172 countries included in this study. The examination of any heterogeneity within the least developed countries with regards to this potential is an important part of this research. The specific implications of the findings for the 45 least developed countries which are included in this study we also discussed, as well as possible measures to increase ICT development potential therein. Finally, suggestions are made as to the need for further research in this area.