1. eGYAfrica Workshop: better Internet connectivity for research and education in Africa Accra, 24-25 November 2010 Dr Daniel NYANGANYURA ICSU Regional Office for Africa d.nyanganyura@icsu-africa.org www.icsu-africa.org The Development of Research and Education Networking in Africa in sub- Saharan Africa: current and planned

2. 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%)

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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. 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

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