Information and Communication Technologies and Broad-Based Development : A Partial Review of the Evidence

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly seen as integral to the development process. This working paper reviews some of the evidence linking ICTs and economic growth; the likely impact of the new ICTs on income inequality; and anecdotal evidence regarding the role of the internet in improving government services and governance. This study looks at methods to maximise access to the new ICTs, and to improve their development impact in both the generation of income and the provision of quality services.