ICT AND EMPOWERMENT TO PARTICIPATE: A CAPABILITY APPROACH

Under which conditions can ICT4D initiatives empower poor communities of developing countries? In thispaper we evaluate the promise of development associated with the introduction of an ICT initiative in Nigeria.We employ the basic concepts of the Sen’s capability approach to understand how the introduction of prepaidelectricity billing system has empowered people to participate in accessing electricity supply. Our analysisillustrates that various activities resulting from the introduction of the system allow for the participation of bothconsumers and electricity workers, and in order for them to be empowered to participate in each of the activities,different resources are required. We conclude with some implications for policy makers advancing an agendafor ‘ICTs for Development’