Introduction/Background

Connecting the next Billion is one of the central issues on the international Internet and Internet Governance agenda. At the Internet Society, we consider “Connecting the Next Billion” as a key issue, as it relates directly to our mission and vision. Despite the success of the mobile revolution in Africa, there are significant barriers to connectivity.

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, where 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. [1]

To understand better how this phenomenon is evolving in the continent, the First Summit on Community Networks in Africa will be held on 22nd November 2016 in Nairobi Kenya within the AfriCHI conference. The Summit aims to bring together more than ten community network operators in Africa to engage in experience sharing on their challenges and opportunities. The objective of the summit is to promote increased collaboration between community network operators in the region and to provide an opportunity for them to engage with other stakeholders.

Who Should Attend

Community Network operators, Wireless Network Researchers, Policy Makers, Regulators and Regulatory Associations, Civil Society organisations and members of the public interested on the topic.

Venue

Auditorium in the University of Nairobi towers, University of Nairobi

Draft Summary Agenda

8:30	Registration
9:00 - 09:15	Welcome and Introduction - Michuki Mwangi
9:15 - 10:15	Presentations - Reasons to start a Community Network and evolution since then
10:15 - 11:00	Presentations - Arrangements to keep social cohesion and foster inclusion
11:00 - 11:30	Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:00	Presentations - Arrangements to keep social cohesion and foster inclusion (continued)
12:00 - 13:00	Community Networks Presentations - Infrastructure and service provision
13:00 - 14:00	Lunch
14:00 - 14:45	Focused discussions - Part I Question: What are the barriers to establishing more Community Networks and scale the existing ones?
14:45 - 15:30	Focused discussions - Part II Question: What are the capacity building and training opportunities and needs?
15:30 - 16:00	Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:45	Focused discussions Part III Question: What opportunities can be leveraged to make Community Networks more sustainable?
16:45 - 17:00	Wrap-up

Registration

Participation fees: 30 USD

For registrations please proceed to https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventId=1864389
Select "Registration Type: Workshops/Courses/..."
After entering your personal details please select “Community Networks in Africa” under the agenda items

Useful Information

Lunch will be provided
French - English simultaneous translation will be available

Logistics Around the Event

ACM Dev, 18-20 November: http://acmdev.org
AfriCHI, 21-25 November: http://africhi.net/
Entry visas for Kenya: http://evisa.go.ke/single-entry-visa.html
Single Entry Visa. Issued for a single entry to persons whose nationalities require a visa to enter Kenya either for business, tourism or medical reasons.

Notes

[1] C. Rey-Moreno, M. Graaf, “Map of Community Networks in Africa”, 1st Report on the Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity: “Community Connectivity: Building the Internet from Scratch”. Ed. FGV Rio Editions. December 2016. In press

First Summit on Community Networks in Africa