TECHOLOGY IS KEY TO EVOLUTION FROM NGO TO SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE

The role non-governmental organisations play for social development is rapidly growing across Africa. NGOs have made important contributions to reaching the poor, proving themselves able to help the most disadvantaged groups, where governments have been unable or unwilling to do so. They are a key component in Africa's move towards sustainable development - and just as technology continues to be vital to the development of many African nations; it is a non-negotiable imperative in the NGO's evolution towards becoming a sustainable enterprise.

While the immense development challenges posed by Africa cannot find all the solutions in NGOs, those with more effective systems, processes and the ability to capitalise on the advantages of technology have an enhanced potential to significantly impact the lives of the communities in which they operate. According to Techsoup, an organization that provides knowledge and resources to NGOs, each nonprofit organisation that is able to transform its daily operations through improved use of technology, elevates the sector as a whole.

Gateway Communications, by the very nature of our business, is positioned firmly at the vanguard of connectivity in Africa - and thus as an enabler of NGOs on the continent. Our services help NGOs stay informed and inform others, providing access from remote rural areas without compromising on quality of service or connectivity.

Our NGO customers across Africa are served by wireless and VSAT, and have intranet and internet connectivity. We provide service to ActionAid at five sites in Ghana and Mozambique, and in Malawi PLAN International has five VSAT sites plus wireless in Maputo. NGO customers in Nigeria include the Ford Foundation, Paths International, Engender Health and US Aid, and In Ghana we provide service to ADRA, Conservation International, African Development Fund, INPRODEC, UNICEF, Technoserve, Population Council and Engender Health. Other customers in Maputo include SETSAN and CDC.

While viewing NGOs not just as an essential partner in African development, but as a potential business opportunity may not sit well with some, according to international non-profit technology consultant, Deborah Finn, donated hardware, software, and services can cost an NGO more than purchased products or services in the long run. She believes that the cost in person hours of using and maintaining non-standard or sub-standard configurations is astonishingly high, and donated equipment tends to be non-standard or sub-standard. Likewise, donated services will cost a great deal of time in support, supervision, and ongoing maintenance. She concludes that to run an NGO as a sustainable enterprise, it must budget for and deploy technology that is best in class and best for business.

Without the benefits of technology, NGOs limit their ability to improve services, to respond to natural disasters, and to explore innovative approaches to service delivery, recruitment, and maintenance of donor support. NGOs require access to technical knowledge, assistance, and products in order to build and maintain the infrastructure needed to effectively use technology as a development tool. For these organizations to best serve their communities, they require a full range of software and hardware that is affordable and delivered with local support. With 350 people in 13 African countries, Gateway is perfectly positioned to partner with NGOs to help them choose, implement, and sustain the essential technology needed to serve their communities.

At Gateway, we believe that by working with NGOs our connectivity solutions can help them greatly improve their programme quality and overall programme effectiveness.