How locally adapted information and communication technologies (ICTs) may contribute to the citizens socio-economic conditions in emerging countries: case study in the DR Congo

ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) unifies all communication components and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers (software, middleware, storage and audiovisual) that help users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. ICTs are becoming unmissable and pervasive in governmental and non-government institutions. They offer big challenges specially in developing and emerging countries, where new technologies have not been yet sufficiently integrated into the social environment. Users in these countries are being exposed to such new technologies to solve their tasks and ease their daily activities. Based on few cases, the chapter explores the interface between ICTs and society in DR Congo. Investigations are made between some specific adapted ICTs and local users. Their impact on local communities as it has been studied so far mainly/only in the field of e-governance in emerging countries. A comparison between three African countries is presented to show how well adapted ICTs can generate spinoffs, and contribute to the improvement of citizens' socio-economic conditions and sustainable development.