ICT regulation is of great importance to give reliable and affordable ICT access. As the ICT field is under constant evolvement, there is great need for capacity building of regulators to ensure they are equipped with knowledge and appropriate tools for efficient work that serves the public good.

Sida has recently decided to commission SPIDER to host the capacity-building programme “ICT Regulation – Policy and Practice”. This is a capacity-building programme for ICT regulators working at regulatory bodies in developing countries. SPIDER coordinates the programme in cooperation with the Swedish Post and Telecom authority, (PTS).

Providing tools to safeguard the interest of end-consumers

The programme supports regulatory development activity in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing tools and discussions on how policy making and regulatory practice can meet an ever-changing ICT future to create a level playing field for operators and other business actors and safeguard the interests and good service of end-consumers and authorities.

Selected participants start their programme with a two-week training session in Stockholm, where participants engage in discussions with regulatory experts from PTS and other Swedish authorities. These experts also coach participants while they work on their change initiatives that from the base of the programme.

Two programme rounds per year until 2019

The agreement between Sida and SPIDER is for two admissions per year for three years (2017-2019). The first programme round is committed to participants from Kenya, Rwanda Tanzania and Uganda. There will be a training period in Sweden between May 3 and 16, 2017. After the training, the participants will be working change initiative in line with your organization’s strategic direction during the period May 2017 to February 2018 with a regional follow up in September 2017.