Subject: [gaia] Fwd: First Summit on Community Networks in Africa held in Nairobi

From: Matthew Ford <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:10:19 +0000

Sharing this recent news from our African Regional Bureau that may be of interest.

Regards,
Mat

> Subject: First Summit on Community Networks in Africa held in Nairobi
> 
> African Regional Bureau successfully organized the First Summit on Community Networks in Africa on 22 November 2016 in Nairobi Kenya. The Summit brought together 8 Community Networks in Africa and more than 50 participants from interested civil society, development and private sector organizations. This is one major milestone in our wireless for community project in Africa.
> The event gave the opportunity for each of the Community Network to engage in experience sharing on their challenges and opportunities, which we believe will promote increased collaboration between community network operators in the region while providing an opportunity for them to engage with other stakeholders. It was inspiring to hear directly from those people who are working day and night in very remote areas to insure that the Internet reaches some of the poorest peoples in the most remote places.
> 
> Community Networks in Africa that attended the Summit-
> 
> Connecting Eenhana, Fatsuam Foundation and Mesh Bukavu from: “(Re)Building Technology: Community Technology Fieldguide” <https://www.newamerica.org/documents/1371/rebuilding-technology.pdf>
> Ensemble Pour La Difference and Fjord: “Bringing The Internet To Africa’s Forgotten Island” <https://www.fjordnet.com/workdetail/bringing-the-internet-to-africas-forgotten-island/>
> Tunapanda Net: http://www.tunapanda.org/ <http://www.tunapanda.org/>
> Zenzeleni Networks: http://zenzeleni.net <http://zenzeleni.net/>
> BOSCO Uganda: http://boscouganda.com/our-approach/bosco-network/ <http://boscouganda.com/our-approach/bosco-network/>
> Murambinda Works: http://www.machaworks.org/murumbinda.html <http://www.machaworks.org/murumbinda.html>
> Macha Works: http://www.machaworks.org <http://www.machaworks.org/>
> Soweto Wireless User Group (SoWUG): http://sowug.org.za/ <http://sowug.org.za/>
> Community established networks also referred to as “community networks” (CN) are an emerging and sustainable solution to address the connectivity gaps that exist in urban and rural areas around the world. In Africa, these gaps are more evident. A recent survey was able to identify 37 community networks initiatives in 12 African countries, of which 25 are considered active.
>