Musa, Mbarika, and Meso present an overview of the technological challenges that least developed countries (LDCs) face. The global digital divide is a major issue, which Kofi Annan has attempted to bring to the world’s attention; thus far, not much progress has been made. For example, Jeffrey Sachs’ UN Millennium Project report failed to address the important role that information and communication technology (ICT) could play in LDCs.

It is true, as the authors note, that ICT’s “meaningful use and application depends on factors such as local contents and cultures.” However, such an analysis fails to recognize that these “local contents and cultures” are sometimes the very obstacles that stand in the way of realizing ICT’s potential. For example, in the case of HIV/AIDS prevention education, local customs or beliefs often prevent women from learning basic information.

In order to enable the people living in LDCs to tackle their problems using ICT, it is important to not only understand the local social constructs, but to also provide funding for education. Education, paired with ICT, can play a vital role in addressing basic necessities like clean water and reliable power, and in ultimately creating a sustainable local economy. In contrast, without such a meaningful educational system, any attempt to promote a stable and sustainable ICT project will fail.