This detailed report states that information and documentation services in Eastern and Southern African countries are expected to: (1) increase the efficiency of research, development, and training; (2) improve the efficiency and competitiveness of industry and technology, particularly of medium-sized and small concerns, by assisting professional and manual workers; (3) support planning and decision-making by parliament, government, administrative, and legal bodies; and (4) provide a better supply of information for individual citizens and social groups, and above all to improve their cooperation in various areas of social life. This document covers the present situation of information services in Eastern and Southern Africa; problems pertaining to the development of information services; work of some international organizations in these two regions related to information, documentation, and library development; new developments related to information and documentation services, e.g., the formation of the Southern African Documentation and Information System (SADIS); and a look at the future. (THC)