ResearchICTAfrica! Network Brussels 27 May 2008

About RIA! Research ICT Africa! seeks to fulfil a strategic gap in the development of a sustainable information society and knowledge economy on the African continent by building information communication technology (ICT) policy and regulatory research capacity in Africa needed to inform effective governance. Research ICT Africa! is hosted by the LINK Centre of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Research ICT Africa! seeks to fulfil a strategic gap in the development of a sustainable information society and knowledge economy on the African continent by building information communication technology (ICT) policy and regulatory research capacity in Africa needed to inform effective governance. Research ICT Africa! is hosted by the LINK Centre of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.

RIA! Network Partners – LIRNEasia and DIRSI – 19 African Countries - 4 Regions – Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa and North Africa from 2008 Tertiary Institutions and Development agencies in:

Partners – LIRNEasia and DIRSI

– 19 African Countries

- 4 Regions – Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa and North Africa from 2008

Tertiary Institutions and Development agencies in:

Member Countries Benin Ghana Senegal Botswana Kenya South Africa Burkina Faso Mozambique Tanzania Cote d’Ivoire Namibia Uganda Cameroon Nigeria Zambia Ethiopia Rwanda Egypt

Purpose The fundamental purpose of the project is to continue to provide support for the ongoing development and maintenance of a network of African research centres in order to develop the information and analysis necessary to make informed decisions on ICT policy and regulation.

The fundamental purpose of the project is to continue to provide support for the ongoing development and maintenance of a network of African research centres in order to develop the information and analysis necessary to make informed decisions on ICT policy and regulation.

Phase 1 objectives Achieve the ultimate goal of contributing to the widespread diffusion of ICTs resulting in a reduction of the digital divide and movement towards the continental goals of achieving information societies and networked economies.

Achieve the ultimate goal of contributing to the widespread diffusion of ICTs resulting in a reduction of the digital divide and movement towards the continental goals of achieving information societies and networked economies.

How it all started Fair Access to the Internet Report (2002) ICT Sector Performance Review (2003) Individual & household Survey (2004) SME Access & Usage Survey (2005) Sector Performance Review/Public Access (2006) Individual and Household Access and Usage Survey (2007) List of names of countries that started RIA!

Fair Access to the Internet Report (2002)

ICT Sector Performance Review (2003)

Individual & household Survey (2004)

SME Access & Usage Survey (2005)

Sector Performance Review/Public Access (2006)

Individual and Household Access and Usage Survey (2007)

List of names of countries that started RIA!

Phase II RIA! seeks to continue to provide African researchers, governments, regulators, operators, multilateral institutions, development agencies, community organisations and trade unions with the information and analysis required to develop innovative and appropriate policies, effective implementation and successful network operations that can contribute to sustainable development.

RIA! seeks to continue to provide African researchers, governments, regulators, operators, multilateral institutions, development agencies, community organisations and trade unions with the information and analysis required to develop innovative and appropriate policies, effective implementation and successful network operations that can contribute to sustainable development.

Outcomes

Thank you! Beki Nkala Research and Knowledge Manager LINK Centre http://www.researchictafrica.net http://link.wits.ac.za [email_address]

Beki Nkala

Research and Knowledge Manager

LINK Centre

http://www.researchictafrica.net

http://link.wits.ac.za

[email_address]