First Annual W2i Digital Communities Best Practices Awards Jigawa Information Technology Initiative - Nigeria Project Lead:Laurent GilDate: 9/5/2005 Organization: Jigawa GovernmentCountry: Nigeria site:

Background Population State of Jigawa, Nigeria 4 million people Geographic Semi arid to arid area, 200km x 400km. Generally flat, small hills. Economic Agriculture. Regulatory The Nigeria regulation authority follows the FCC recommendations (2.4GHz and 5.8GHz are unlicensed). Community 3 large cities (>50,000 habitants). No fixed telephone lines. Partial electricity access. Large University specialized in Information/Communication Technology opened in students. IT readiness Government services and young population is aware of Internet/data access via cybercafes, school access, provided by the local government.

Project History Most of the state of Jigawa, Nigeria, is rural and semi rural. In 2001, the population had no access to internet and information technology. There were no relevant fixed telephone lines, and no dial-up access in any part of the state. The Jigawa Information Technology Initiative was part of a broad strategic vision to foster economic development of the State via the use of technology. It was started by Governor Turaki in 2001, shortly after he got elected to Governorship. His objective was to bring awareness to internet and information technology to the local population of the state of Jigawa, via cyber-caf é s, school and university, public libraries and Government services. The first phase consists in the implementation, operational since 2003, of a network of 47 access points, across the state, using a satellite backhaul and fixed wireless technology as last mile. The second phase is the expansion of the access by the creation of a state university focused in Information Technology. The university opened in 2003 and now has 2000 college students. The third and current phase is the development of a massive VoIP network, to provide basic mobile voice services in the state and its neighboring states. Funding was provided by the state and federal level, with help of the World Bank.

Mission & Objectives Mission statement: Initiative to foster economic development of the local state of Jigawa via the use of information technology. Provide information, communication and infrastructure for the population of the state of Jigawa. Education on information technology: develop a University focused on ICT, and Internet access in public schools. Project Objectives: (1) Stimulate the local economic development using information technology; (2) Provide an equal chance of education for Jigawa young population; (3) Make the state of Jigawa the reference in terms of ICT in the country of Nigeria.

Possible Solutions Available alternatives: –Use NITEL (Nigeria Telecommunication, the telecom incumbent in Nigeria); –Technology: copper wires. Chosen alternative - The local government decided to manage the project locally, because of the failure of NITEL to provide any relevant telecommunication infrastructure. The project is developped and operated by a state-owned company (Galaxy ITT Inc.).

Business Model Community outreach undertaken, role of various stakeholders in the process: The local government provided the funding and the management of the project. The Emirs, traditional authority in the main cities, were instrumental in facilitating the local implementation, either by providing real-estate or by supporting and sponsoring the initiative toward the population. The Emir of Kazaure was instrumental in the opening of the University of Kazaure. Targeted users: –Current: young people, schools, university students, local economic players (such as agriculture information, etc.); –Future: general population, via the extension of the network to provide low cost voice and portable phone services. Partnerships: local community.

Project Economics Cost structure: –Internet access: start-up costs and operational costs are low, due to the low cost structure in Nigeria. The highest cost is the satellite backhaul (USD 30k/month). Investment Sources/ Funding Sources –How is the project funded: financing from the state level, federal and World bank. –Investment level: USD 6 millions were necessary to build the main satellite hubs and the satellite access points. –Investment level at the university: TBA. Revenue Source/ Return on Investment –The state currently provides nearly free access (symbolic cost for the end user). –The technology university is free to the students from the state of Jigawa. Out of state students pay university fees. –The voice project will be provided at cost + 40% margin (industry average), when it is implemented. It will be operated by a private company.

Applications Current applications: (1) Education network, e-learning using professors and classes from prestigious universities in the United Kingdom (Oxford) and Australia; (2) Agriculture information such as weather patterns, and selection/research of seeds, etc. The network serves the Jigawa Agriculture Research Center; (3) General access of internet, s, etc. (4) Connection of Government services to the federal government networks. Future/Potential applications: We are now studying the implementation of a ultra low cost portable phone system, based on PHS system, using the Internet (VoIP) network as backhaul/interconnexion. Tests with 700 users in Dutse (the state capital) showed economic returns for revenues of USD5 per user.

Network Schematic Network Schematic: Backhaul using satellite (PanamSat 1.5Mbps); Last mile: low-cost Wi-Fi and WiMAX fixed wireless. Most of the cities in Jigawa are covered. State the chosen/considered & why –Technology providers: satellite (PanamSat), no alternative (no copper of fiver optic access). The topology of the state (large flat areas) makes it an ideal case of massive fixed wireless deployment; – systems integrators: IdeaValley Brazil; –and service providers: none.

Deployment Timeline: –Past: 2001~2005: deployment of 47 access points, creation of the university; –Current (2005~2006): deployment of long-range radio-frequency backhaul, using point to point WiMAX, to support voice and higher bandwidth; –Future (2006~): deployment of a mobile phone network, using the satellite and RF backhaul. Sustainability and Scalability of the project –The Internet access is considered a public service and will stay free (or with a symbolic cost for the general use). The operating company, Galaxy is being privatised and will receive subsidies by the local government for government access; –The university is a public/private partnerhsip. It is privately managed, and receives scholarship for in-state students (50% of the students). Out of state students pay full tuition fees (50% of the students); –The voice project (2006~) is a private company that will have a concession for voice services. It has target prices obligations (US$ 5/month/client, unlimited local call access).

Impact Analysis Actual impact Information technology access in Jigawa is starting to bring businesses in the state. The university creates a sophisticated urban tissue in the city of Jigawa. Jigawa Agriculture Research Center opened its doors in 2003 in Kazaure. In 2005, IdeaValley, from Brazil, decided to create its Nigerian branch in Kazaure. Jigawa Savings and Loans bank was created by using the communication system of the state, etc.

Lessons Learned & Next Steps Implementation and execution of ambitious technology projects in Africa are challenging, but the Jigawa initiative also shows that it is a possible task. High technology, not low technology is often the solution. Implementing a massive scale VoIP is now the next challenge of the Jigawa Information Technology Initiative.