Say no to e-waste - 29 Jun 2009

TEAMS (The East African Marine System) was officially launched in Kenya this month without much publicity. It is however an important event for Africa, but more so for East Africa, who can now finally connect with the rest of the world after being the longest coastline in the world without fibre-optic cable linkage. This is great news for countries like Kenya that wants to expand and explore business opportunities with other African countries as well as with other continents. If used to its full potential and embraced by all involved, TEAMS should lead to a boost in development; bridging the digital divide will be much easier and will happen at a faster rate provided the effort is made by governments in the region. Africa, however, must be wary as this development could very well be a double-edged sword. E-waste is a by-product of technological advancement and emerging nations are fast becoming dumping grounds for these used resources. While importing second-hand hardware from developed countries might seem to be the best solution for economically challenged communities, this system should not be allowed get out of hand and African countries should be guarded against becoming the last stop for recycled resources. Regulations and standards must be drawn up and maintained so that Africa ensures it is environmentally and socially responsible in the digital age.