Create enabling environments for the adoption and growth of ICT firms

The third and final recommendation revolves around the role for governments to create enabling environments for the adoption and growth of ICT firms. Such firms would be able to develop and design customized software and services that respond to the localized needs, and downstream requirements of SMEs. As the marketplace is a highly competitive area, possible actions to reduce market-entry barriers for start-up ICT firms could include:

• Establishing and supporting business incubators that specialize in growing ICT firms
• Establishing business parks for ICT firms
• Providing financial and non-financial incentives to start-up ICT firms
• Providing tax incentives to SMEs that buy ICT products and services from local firms

It can be concluded that region have a tremendous potential for rapid and sustainable economic, and social development by leveraging the potential of ICT and applying it appropriately within the SME sector.However, governments must continue to play an active role in encouraging and promoting the use of ICT while ensuring that coherent enabling policies are in place, and that capacity building and skills development are fostered in order to attain national socio-economic goals, for the benefit of the wider population.