eGYAfrica Workshop: better Internet connectivity for research and education in Africa Accra, November 2010 Dr Daniel NYANGANYURA ICSU Regional Office for Africa The Development of Research and Education Networking in Africa in sub- Saharan Africa: current and planned

LIVELIHOOD IN AFRICA: Facts & Figures ■ Population: ~ 1B (14% of world Pop.) ■ 35 of the WORLD's 50 least developed countries are on the AFRICAN continent ■ About 70% of the African population LIVES on less than US$ 2 a day ■ 75% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa don’t have access to ELECTRICITY (Africa 73%, China 1.5%) ■ About 40% of the African population has no access to safe and clean drinking WATER ■ Internet users sub-Saharan Africa (7.4%) ■ Telephone access sub-Saharan Africa: 1.6% (mobile 40% : Africa above 50%)

AFRICAN CHALLENGES African problems are transboundary in nature (health, energy, pollution, food security, climate change, communication)

A map of the world with the areas of countries reshaped in proportion to their scientific growth Courtesy : James Wilsdon – Physics World October 2008 African countries contributing 1.70% of world share of ISI-listed S&E papers Scientific Research in Africa

Number of scientists/engineers vs. population (Less than 1 per 10,000 inhabitants) Scientists don’t talk to each other (few networks; little research collaborations; different voices; compete for funds) Government/private sector/universities have no coodinated activities: scientific research carried out by non-scientists Politicians don’t put money into research  Scientific Research & Educational Networks – Not growing fast enough - Scientists weakly connected - Limited access to information

Scientific Research & Educational Networks: Current (active and in plan) Financial Support Grants and inkind from some institutions (IDRC, PHE, ACBF) No visible government hand NRENs by Geo Area East & Southern Africa – Alliance of NRENs (UbuntuNet); 12 countries West & Central Africa – WACREN-Alliance in formation

Scientific Research & Educational Networks: Undersea Cables around Africa (2012) Expansion of e-infrastructure in & around Africa

Scientific Research & Educational Networks: the future Establishment & implementation of NRENs – priorities internet connectivity in academic & industrial research institutions/partners Establishment of NRENs at national and regional level – NREN RREN RREN global - full potential use of digital info powerful enabler for research cooperation, sustainable dev., & prevent brain drain Establishment & implementation -NRENs & government Involvement of CSOs & others

10 National Research & Educational Networks: the Future Terrestrial infrastructure in Africa taking over from the expensive narrow band satellite links Institutional benefits – national & regional networks Linked NRENs with other existing regional networks, initiatives and organizations networks (AU/NEPAD/ECA) High performance communication environment -time & distance not limiting The Future NRENs – based on collaborative effort

For more information and up-dates, visit ICSU global website: ICSU ROA website: Thank You High-Performance Communication Environment: A Strategy for Collective Action and Connectivity in Africa