The role of ICT in empowering people with low- literacy levels in Africa Marije Geldof Intended outcome: Model on how to enable identified needs through use of ICTs. Stage: Just back from collecting data in the field. Next step data analysis and writing-up. Aim: To identify optimal ways in which Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can contribute to empowering the lives of people with low-literacy levels in Africa. Preliminary results: Are there ICT needs? Radio most widely used and known ICT Mobile phone very popular Gender differences in exposure and use of ICT Lack of power supply for ICTs Poor quality and sustainability of ICTs Negative impact of video Lack of creative and innovative thinking Research: Qualitative data collection by means of interviews, group discussions and digital camera interaction in Ethiopia and Malawi. www.ict4d.org.u k [email protected] k