Press kit

The press kit provides key background information on the AfricaConnect3 project. If you would like more detailed information or have any questions please contact us at info@geant.org

• Descriptions​: A single line, short paragraph and detailed description of AfricaConnect3.
• Benefits​: How can one profit from AfricaConnect3.
• Applications​: Examples of how the network is being used.
• Background​: Project summary | Facts and success stories.
• The case for NRENs and resea​rch and education networking: A repository of resources to support funding, advocacy and the advancement of national and regional research and education networks.

For more information about AfricaConnect3 read the FAQs.

Descriptions

About AfricaConnect3

The four-paragraph, one-sentence and the single line descriptions below should be used in publications, articles or press releases to describe the AfricaConnect3 project. Please refer to the descriptions below to ensure that accurate information is communicated.

Single line

AfricaConnect3 – Connecting the research and education communities across Africa.

Short paragraph

AfricaConnect3 is an EU-funded pan-African connectivity project that aims to support the development and consolidation of high-capacity regional internet networks for R&E across Africa and their interconnection with the pan-European GÉANT network, creating a continental gateway for collaborative research and education across and beyond Africa.

Detailed description

The AfricaConnect3 project aims to support the creation and consolidation of national and regional research and education (R&E) networks across Africa that provide access to dedicated, high-capacity internet connectivity and offer a gateway to global R&E collaborations through their interconnection with the pan-European GÉANT network.

AfricaConnect3 will consolidate and expand the results of previous projects in contributing to enhance human capital development in Africa (the Overall Objective of this Action). More specifically, it will seek to unlock the potential of education and research through increased access of African education and research institutions to digital infrastructures and technologies (the Specific Objective of the Action).

The total budget for AfricaConnect3 is €37.5m for a period of 4 years from November 2019, with €30m contributed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). The remaining funds (€7.5m) are being provided by the African partners.

Benefits

Benefits for African students and researchers

• High-speed, reliable​ broadband connectivity and services such as eduroam and eduGAIN.
• Access to innovative e-learning tools and advanced research resources.
• Collaborative learning and research with peers around the world.

Benefits for N​REN partners

• Capacity building to upscale human resources output.
• Participation in global R&E events for increased exposure.
• Knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice.
• Connectivity at best rates in complex market conditions.

Benefits for Global Research and Education

• Connecting the world to Africa’s scientists, students and educators.
• Bridging the digital divide and fighting brain drain in Africa.
• The enormous potential of Africa is unlocked!

Applications

AC3 will greatly improve access for researchers, students and institutions to digital infrastructures and technologies, connecting Africa to unlimited possibilities.

• Enhance human capital development through training programmes and events.
• Facilitate creative local solutions to global societal challenges such as diseases, natural disasters and climate change.
• Support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), in areas such as education, health and wellbeing, water and sanitation and climate action.
• Narrow the digital divide by improving access to and reducing cost of advanced, reliable internet connectivity for R&E.
• Enhance learning, knowledge and skills, research and innovation capacities, particularly for women and youth.

Background

AfricaConnect3 builds on the work carried out by AfricaConnect (2011-2015) and AfricaConnect2 (2015-2019) which contributed to supporting the creation, development and use of high-capacity research and education networks in Africa.

During the first two phases of AfricaConnect, 22 countries were connected to the three African regional networks:

UbuntuNet Alliance: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

WACREN: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.

ASREN: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.