Use of internet in rural areas of Zambia

Access to information and, more importantly, the internet is not evenly distributed in this world. But if they had it, would people in rural Africa want to use the internet? How would they use it and benefit from it? Will internet influence culture and how can communities prepare themselves when the internet comes in their village? To support the rollout of internet in more rural areas in Zambia and to improve the effectiveness of ICT in rural environments, a clear view on the adoption and use of ICT and services was needed. This study aimed at providing this knowledge. Interviews in rural Zambia taught us how people use the internet and the benefits they experience. We also spoke about their expectations and what they think is needed when the internet is introduced in a community. The study showed that people and communities in rural Zambia do benefit from ICT both socially and economically. Basically, they use the internet for the same purposes as people in Western countries, such as to communicate, to search for information and to buy things. However, internet is even more important in rural areas because of lack of alternatives, such as telephone lines, libraries, newspapers, roads in good condition, and public transport. When introducing the internet in a new community, first of all, sensitization should take place. Then training is needed on how to use a computer and the internet. Next to that, proximity is important, having internet at home or at work would naturally enable a lot of people to use internet more often and benefit more from it. Most participants feel that the internet can have a positive impact on their culture; however, more African content should be developed and placed on the internet. This paper is not about technical aspects of introducing the internet in rural areas. It’s about cases of real people and how internet changed their lives. Internet empowered them and helped them to build a more sustainable future with better education, easier communication and new economic activities