THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL INFORMATION ON AFRICA

Refers to the growing popularity of ''Fidonet'' in Africa and compares it with the Internet. Acknowledges that developing countries may miss the information revolution because they lack national information inf rastructures and the knowledge and skills required to provide the rele vant content for them. Argues that global information should promote h uman development in areas such as education, health, social services a nd commercial activity. The Conference of African Ministers recently d eclared support for the building of Africa's information highway, reco gnizing the need for African countries to develop information networks for full Internet connectivity, enabling access to the same informati on systems for Africa's economic recovery and sustainable development.