New ICT Projects Announced in Algeria
Algerian ICT minister Moussa Benhamadi has announced a number of IT projects aimed at democratising the use of the internet across the country.
One of these, the “1 PC per family” initiative will initially target teachers and their pupils. It will involve the provision of computers, broadband internet and training, paid through specific financing mechanisms. It will then be extended to health care facilities, with those located in the more populous north of the country sharing best practice with those in the south.
A convention is being drafted in collaboration with the health ministry including a pilot telemedicine project to connect via a hospital in each of the 10 southern districts (wilayas) via dedicated broadband link with a counterpart in the north. Its aim is to enable southern doctors to make diagnoses in consultation with those in the coastal cities.
The government has also launched an ICT training project aiming to support 1 million residents of all ages and social status, in partnership with the professional training ministry. Several training centres will be established and financed through an existing ICT development fund.
Benhamadi also announced the launch of the ministry's “Cyber Rif” project to introduce the possibilities offered by the internet to people living in rural and mountainous parts of the country.
