1 Ubuntunet Alliance Albert Nsengiyumva Deputy Chair, UbuntuNet Coordinator, RwEdNet Development Partner Meeting 10 November 2008, Lilongwe, Malawi

2 1. Review of the Zomba Strategic Plan a. Content and structure b. Implementation achievements c. Lessons learnt

3 1.a Content and Structure Lack of an institutional vision statement; Core institutional functions not articulated Lack of a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the Alliance; Absence of an explicit analysis of key result areas (KRAs). Lack of time-bound and costed implementation action plan Need to adopt a strategic planning format such as a rolling plan that readily keeps up with emerging opportunities and issues

4 1.b Implementation Achievements 1.High speed UbuntuNet backbone: Focus has been on external connectivity. 2. Fostering, stimulating and supporting NRENs development 3. Collaboration and capacity building 4. Partnership building – regional and international

5 1.c Lessons learnt A need to review and update the Zomba Strategic Plan and adopt a strategic planning framework that readily keeps up with emerging issues from the very dynamic technology and operating environment of the Alliance A need to serious foster, stimulate and support NREN developments A need to accord greater emphasis on collaboration and capacity building A need for sustainable business model for the Alliance

6 2. Rolling Strategic Plan (Sept. 2008) a.Strategic future direction b.SWOTs Analysis c.Key results areas d.Strategic objectives

7 2.a Strategic future direction Societal vision: Vibrant African research and education institutions, networking effectively in the global knowledge society 2 Institution Mission: To secure affordable high speed international connectivity and efficient ICT access and usage for African NRENs

8 2.a Strategic future direction 3. Institutional Vision Strong and viable African research and education network (REN) of choice, which promotes ICT access and usage among national RENs

9 2.a Strategic future direction 4. Core Functions To develop and provide high speed and affordable interconnectivity among the NRENs, and with the rest of the world To develop and share the knowledge and skills of ICT practitioners in the NRENs To provide related auxiliary services to the NRENs

10 2.a Strategic future direction 5. Core Values Accountability Pro-activeness Community consciousness Results oriented Responsiveness to changing situations Equity and fairness

11 2.a SWOTs Analysis 1.Strengths -Strong regional presence and potential to expand -Strong, visionary and active leadership -The expertise and good practices within the Alliance -The bottom up, membership - based approach -Low overhead cost structure

12 2.a SWOTs Analysis 2. Weaknesses -Weak financial base -Lack of cross border and international connectivity -Low technical skills base

13 2.a SWOTs Analysis 3. Opportunities -Linkages with other Regional RENs -Upcoming submarine cables on the East and West Coast of Africa -Development of cross border fiber infrastructure -Development of National fiber Backbones

14 2.a SWOTs Analysis 4. Challenges -Competition from Internet service providers -Lack of awareness about the benefits of research and education networking -Political instability in some African countries -Lack of conducive policy and regulatory environment that frustrates both national and regional networking

15 2.b Key Result Areas 1. Development and Capacity building for NRENs 2. High speed and affordable connectivity 3. Institutional sustainability 4. Conducive policy and regulatory environment 5. Interconnections within Africa and globally 6. Support content and research networks

16 2.c Strategic Objectives 1. Strengthened development and capacity building for NRENs 2. Improved speed and affordability of connectivity for Africa 3. Strengthened institutional sustainability achieved 4. Improved policy and regulatory environment 5. Increased interconnections within Africa and globally improved 6. Strengthened support content and research networks

17 3. Monitoring and Evaluation process of the Strategic Plan a. Monitoring b. Evaluation

18 3.a Monitoring - Programme/project coordinators with the support of the Secretariat will provide quarterly reports on the activities carried out in the respective programme/projects - Monitoring of critical risks:- Inadequate response from donors, failure of important actors to collaborate with the Alliance, Inability to attract and retain key competent staff and members the Board, low enthusiasm of stakeholders

19 3.b Evaluation Justifying the use of resources Assessing the achievements and failures of the Strategic Plan. To see whether adequate resources are being mobilized to implement the plan. Assess the impact of the Strategic Plan

20 THANK YOU Malawi language