Abstract:
Many countries around the world have visions or dreams of becoming information and
knowledge societies. These countries wish to benefi t from the many advantages that such
societies offer, including improved communication, better education and the reduction
of poverty, to mention but a few. However, many countries and communities around
the world (especially in Africa) are not part of the information and knowledge society
yet, due to barriers such as the digital divide (Holmner 2008). Authors such as Webster
(2002), Britz et al (2006) and Holmner (2008) have identifi ed criteria that defi ne an
information and knowledge society. These criteria address economic, Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and social and
human intellectual capacity aspects. Based on these criteria, it is clear that Rwanda, which
forms the subject of this study, is not yet an information and knowledge society. This
article presents facts on how mobile phone technology such as the Village Phone (VP)
can help Rwanda become an information and knowledge society. Qualitative research
methods were applied in the form of a literature review and semi-structured interviews
which were conducted with the VP users in fi ve Rwandan districts. The results of the
study showed that while the adoption of the VP may assist Rwanda to adhere to some
criteria of the information and knowledge society (namely the economic and the ICT
infrastructure criteria), while slightly assisting adherence to the social criterion, adoption
of the VP is not assisting Rwanda to adhere to the physical infrastructure and human
intellectual capacity criteria at all. The study further found that if the VP were used in a
different manner it could meet more of the required criteria to help Rwanda become an
information and knowledge society.
