Technology Localisation – Is it Necessary?

Over the last decade, I have been involved in the deployment of ICT solutions in both rural and urban communities. One thing I have realised is the potential for rapid assimilation of technology by human beings be it rich or poor. What matters most to them is what the technology can help them accomplish. In the process, I noticed that there are still a number of challenges towards technology adoption of which the aspect of technology localisation is key though hardly brought to the forefront.

When attending ICT workshops or conferences, barriers to adoption will center around electricity availability, connectivity, Human Resource, costs of maintenance and security. In very rare cases is localisation of technology brought up.

What do I mean by localisation of technology? This has got to do with modification of the available technology to suit the needs of the intended recipient local community.

A number of telecentres in Uganda have either closed or are on their deathbed as a result of this very issue. When you get the top of the range PCs and take them to a community that is hardly literate in English, what do you expect? People naturally get intimidated by any new technology and will require all sorts of incentives to adapt to it. What could some of those incentives be?
- Ensuring that the language is friendly
- Ensuring that the interface used is friendly
- Ensuring that the recipients can relate with the icons and shortcuts used
- Integrating alternative modes of technology use like voice and touch screen among others.

What is happening currently is that solutions are usually hatched up in the absence of people with local expertise and it is only when deployment has began that a firefighting approach is taken towards the numerous challenges that keep cropping up.

I once walked into an ATM in Mbale town where I found some one seated on a stool next to the machine. On inquiring why he was strategically positioned to intrude with my privacy, he explained that his role was to help those that do not know how to use the ATM. Now, in this era of identity theft possibilities, isn't this another way of this bank making its clients more susceptible to the rackets of con men who have already infiltrated our banking sector?

In Uganda today, one of the top selling newspaper is a local language daily called Bukedde . The Government has a policy where it encourages schools to teach children using their mother tongues at least upto Primary 4. Currently, in many areas of the country, it is easy to find people that are literate in their local languages. This to me is a recipe for the need to localise technology in order to enable our people reap its benefits.

Efforts needs to be put in the areas of software localisation and translation for starters which could then be followed by interface localisation and eventually hardware localisation. Despite being ridiculed as too hard to use, I find Free and Open Source Software as a good starting point due to the lack of restrictions on third party modification. Later, as proprietary software providers like Microsoft relax their restrictions, that direction can be pursued too. Unfortunately, it is not yet commercially viable for such an undertaking to be left to the private sector entirely in Uganda. This is because the intended beneficiaries can not shoulder the associated costs of any such solutions. This is why I do propose a Public-Private-Partnership.

The Government of Uganda, Community Based Organisations and ICT companies can combine forces to realise this and follow examples of similar successful initiatives like Translate.org .

I do believe that if this approach is taken, we should be able to see the fruits within two years. I do know a number of ICT practitioners who would be willing to participate in this venture but only if it is going to be a collaborative one taking on a multi-sectoral approach.

“Anyone familiar with the MDGs will soon realise that without addressing issues of language it is impossible to deliver effectively on these goals. It is this last inch between technology and the user’s eyes that can stretch to infinity if technology is not language enabled.” Dwayne Bailey, Project Leader, Translate.org.

Let me take this time to wish you a happy new year 2009. Je vous souhaite une bonne annee.

Wire