InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

ITU Initiatives within

Connect Africa

presented by Marcelino Tayob ITU/BDT

FTRA 2009 Lusaka, Zambia

20 May 2008

2

Kigali Summit

Mobilize human, technical and financial resources to implement WSIS

1000 participants Including Head of States, Ministers, CEOs

$55 Billion in commitments Set 5 goals for future: 2012/2015

3

Goals

1. Interconnect all African capitals and major cities with broadband

2. Connect villages; local shared access

3. Adopt enabling environment for investment

4. Build capacity through training centres

5. Develop applications and services: e-government

4

Major ITU Initiatives Wireless Broadband Connecting Villages Connect a School, Connect a Community Shared ICT Access Rural ICT Access Digital Broadcasting Enabling Environment Capacity Building Applications & Services Special Initiatives

5

Enabling Environment

ITU-EC project to harmonize ICT policies in Sub Saharan Africa

Will also help harmonized guidelines for West Africa to become law more quickly

Collaborating with AfDB to strengthen efforts and avoid overlap

6

Capacity Building

ITU working with partners on African Network of Excellence

Network will facilitate resource sharing - facilities, expertise, training materials

Also developing a Centre of Excellence for Portuguese and Spanish speaking countries in Africa

Project funded by the Governments of Spain and Portugal: Six countries will benefit over 4 years

7

Digital Broadcasting Roadmap Project

With support of Government of Korea

Helping African Countries make analogue-digital shift

Period : Jan. 2008- Aug. 2009

Developing guidelines, projects in selected countries, impact assessments to promote investment

8

Wireless Broadband Partnership

Develop and deploy wireless networks

Guarantee capacity for schools, hospitals

Train local experts and build human capacity

Develop ICT Applications: e-health, e-education, e-government and others

Collaborating with AfDB to assist countries: funding of studies + potential wider roll-out

Partnership with Susan and McCaw Foundation

Expanding broadband access in underserved areas

9

Rural ICT Services Government of South Africa, ITU and UPU

Encourage operators to provide services in

rural/remote areas Develop partnerships for content development Promote local entrepreneurs with microfinance Use if possible Post Offices infrastructure. Focus on Southern Africa: Malawi, Lesotho,

Mozambique, Rwanda; to be expanded South Africa committed to contributed USD 1.5

million. Other partners expected to join.

Connecting Villages

Low cost solutions for hard to reach communities

Local entrepreneur bottom up business model

Public Private Partnership Relevant applications, i.e. M-banking In discussions with NSN, Ericsson

among others – open to more partners

Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connecting Villages

Expected OutcomesThe following outcomes are expected for

each participating country: Establishment of several trial sites to

provide proof of concept, shortly following the project launch;

Improvement of policy and regulation to accelerate the development of rural communications and provide business opportunities for local entrepreneurs;

Development of locally-relevant mobile applications and content; and

Extensive roll out of rural communications in selected countries, following successful trial results.

Connecting Villages

Respective ROLES ITU will provide project

management staff, technical experts, administrative support, and coordination;

Industry Connectivity Partners will provide equipment, experts and financial support;

Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connecting Villages

Respective ROLES Local Mobile Operators will make available supporting

infrastructure and facilities including, but not limited to: electricity (e.g. solar power), telecom towers, connection to their mobile network; and,

Government/Regulator will ensure a supportive policy and regulatory environment, as well as provide administrative support (i.e. authorizations, customs/duty exemptions etc) and possible funding, using sources such as Universal Service Funds.

Expanding access to affordable connectivity in rural and remote areas

Connect a School, Connect a Community

New initiative to compile best practices in online Toolkit

Raise global political awareness among policy makers and regulators

Assist ITU Member States with connectivity plans and projects

Provide capacity building

Enabling schools to serve as community ICT centres for disadvantaged groups.

15

Shared ICT Access: Grameen

Village Phone Direct Manual co-published between ITU and Grameen Foundation

Available in six languages for FREE download on ITU website

Aim to stimulate roll-out of projects at local level

16

Applications & Services

ITU and UNECA e-applications project for youth in Congo and Gabon

Assessment of cybersecurity situation in Africa

17

Special Initiatives

Projects for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia & Senegal

ICT training Centres for returnees in Liberia & Burundi, jointly with UNHCR

Internet in schools in Kenya & Uganda

Women-led telecentres in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau.

Support for disadvantaged groups

18

Tracking Progressand Promotional Activities

ITU Global ViewShow ICT statistics and coverage on

interactive map

Africa ICT Statistics

Annual Connect Africa Report

InternationalTelecommunicationUnion

Thank You