Brown focuses on IT and Africa in first speech since leaving power

Technological leap will provide the wealth creation required, says Brown

Brown says IT can help create wealth in Africa

In his first major speech since leaving office, former prime minister Gordon Brown is turning his attention to increasing wealth in Africa via access to broadband.

Only 10 per cent currently have access to the internet.

Talking in Kampala, Uganda, Brown said: "Africa's best hope for diversification into the high-value sectors is a massive acceleration in the use of IT... 40 per cent of people in Africa have mobiles, but only 10 per cent have access to the internet which offers the chance of a technological leap in the provision of services and for business and citizens.

"I am already working with some of you to bring together experts in this field for a major campaign and programme of work, because I truly believe that the rapid expansion of internet access in Africa could transform how Africa trades, learns and holds political power accountable," according to theGuardian.

Aides said that Brown has been consulting with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, father of the worldwide web, about using the internet to revolutionise Africa's economy.

Several charity-run schemes aim to provide broadband to hard-to-reach communities in Africa. Computing's charity partner, Computeraid, recently deployed a solar-powered cyber cafe to Macha in Zambia.