Introduction/Background
Connecting the next Billion is one of the central issues on the international Internet and Internet Governance agenda. At the Internet Society, we consider “Connecting the Next Billion” as a key issue, as it relates directly to our mission and vision. Despite the success of the mobile revolution in Africa, there are significant barriers to connectivity.
Community established networks also referred to as “community networks” (CN) are an emerging and sustainable solution to address the connectivity gaps that exist in urban and rural areas around the world. In Africa, where these gaps are more evident. A recent survey was able to identify 37 community networks initiatives in 12 African countries, of which 25 are considered active. [1]
To understand better how this phenomenon is evolving in the continent, the First Summit on Community Networks in Africa was held on 22nd November 2016 in Nairobi Kenya within the AfriCHI conference. The Summit brought together ten community network operators in Africa to engage in experience sharing on their challenges and opportunities. The objective of the summit was to promote increased collaboration between community network operators in the region and provide an opportunity for them to engage with other stakeholders.
Who Attended
Community Network operators, Wireless Network Researchers, Policy Makers, Regulators and Regulatory Associations, Civil Society organisations and members of the public interested on the topic.
Presentations, photos and the event report
Here are some of the presentations:
- Benjamin Murhesa, from MESH-BUKAVU, DRC: Un réseau communautaire sans fil et gratuit
- Tonny Okwonga, from BOSCO, Uganda: The Power of Connecting People
- Joseph Bishi, from Murambinda Works, Zambia: Inspiring Local Talents!
- Thato Mfikwe, from Soweto wireless user group, South Africa: Transforming Communities through ICT Development
- Patrick Byamungu, from Pamoja Net, DRC: First Light: An MD&I project by Fjord London and Ensemble pour la Difference
- Josephine Mliliza from TunapandaNet, Kenya
- Jon Dada, from Fantsuam Foundation, Nigeria
- Annastasia Shipepe & Nicola J Bidwell, from University of Namibia: Connecting Eenhana: Supporting ICT Skill Development in Community Network Projects
Some of the video presentations include:
- Zenzeleni Networks Mankosi Ltd: How a rural community in South Africa became a telecommunications operator
- Macha Works
- Tunapanda Institute – Inspiring Young Girls and Women
More event photos can be found here.
Report on the 1st Summit on Community Networks in Africa can be found here.
Examples of Community Networks in Africa that attended the Summit
- Connecting Eenhana, Fatsuam Foundation and Mesh Bukavu from: “(Re)Building Technology: Community Technology Fieldguide”
- Ensemble Pour La Difference and Fjord: “Bringing The Internet To Africa’s Forgotten Island”
- Tunapanda Net: http://www.tunapanda.org/
- Zenzeleni Networks: http://zenzeleni.net
- BOSCO Uganda: http://boscouganda.com/our-approach/bosco-network/
- Murambinda Works: http://www.machaworks.org/murumbinda.html
- Macha Works: http://www.machaworks.org
- Soweto Wireless User Group (SoWUG): http://sowug.org.za/
Examples of Other Community Networks in the world
- Internet Society Wireless for Communities in South Asia: http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/asia/south-asia/wireless-communities
- Digital Empowerment Foundation: http://defindia.org
- Guifi: https://guifi.net
- Rhizomatica: https://rhizomatica.org
Contact
- Carlos Rey-Moreno: [email protected]
- Michuki Mwangi: [email protected]
Notes
[1] C. Rey-Moreno, M. Graaf, “Map of Community Networks in Africa”, 1st Report on the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity: “Community Connectivity: Building the Internet from Scratch”. Ed. FGV Rio Editions. December 2016. In press