As for individual communications, rural researchers cannot depend on deteriorating postal services.
Telephone calls are too expensive, the phone systems too unreliable.
It is beguiling to suggest African researchers look to telematics, a term denoting the convergence of the computing, telecommunications and information sectors, to replace the printed word with data bases, CD-ROMs and electronic mail. African decision-makers, researchers and field workers also need the resources to maintain electronic information systems. Sustainability is the key concern as, sooner or later, local resources will have to replace short-term external funding and technical expertise. For the moment, most Africans wanting access to e-mail or larger Internet services are dependent on the telephonic intervention of third parties, usually in the United States. Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Tanzania are currently making plans for full Internet connectivity.