Continental Integrated Information Network - CIIN

CIIN 4 Africa

2007-05-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, "Why not?" George Bernard Shaw

Project Initiative:

CIIN is new strategic networking initiative that is central to the achievement of an African Information Society on the basis of Regional Cooperation and Integration.

CINN provides an inclusive, multi-stakeholder global forum and platform for cross-sectoral policy dialogue and advocacy and by catalyzing action oriented partnerships encouraged under the GAID umbrella.

"our current programmes are based on two major pillars: Promoting regional integration in support of the African Union vision and priorities, and Meeting Africa's special needs and the emerging global challenges".
Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary UNECA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1 May 2007 , CODI-V meeting.

Regional Cooperation and Integration:

Focuses on the development of Information and Knowledge Networks and Resources for critical sectors I.e. agriculture /natural resources transport & communication, Public health, education, business & commerce
Requires large scale deployment /implementation of ICT infrastructures.
Needs governmental policy & Strategy formulation, regulatory frameworks .
Requires significant financial Investment, economic de-regulation & open competitive business environments to ensure full Private Sector participation.
In line with the NEPAD, and could serve a basis for African Integration and Objectives of the African Economic Community /African Union.

Connectivity with Broadband to Africa

2007-05-02T04:15:00.000-07:00

As a key enabler of the four priority areas of the Global Alliance, CINN will support African efforts to accelerate the roll-out of communication infrastructure and increase broadband access across Africa.

ICT infrastructure is essential for African countries to achieve regional integration and to enable poor people to participate in markets and help reduce poverty.

Economic growth in Africa will depend upon widespread access to ICT services which in turn provide access to local, national, regional and global markets.

Therefore, national and regional backbones, cross-border links, and rural connectivity need to be vastly expanded, in parallel with the deployment of applications to take advantage of connectivity for productive use

Specific Project Experience

2007-05-02T04:14:00.001-07:00

African Union(AU)- Strategic Info System Network Integrated Infrastructure

The Requirement:

Provide ICT capabilities i.e. network/intranet access, collaborative computing/email and networks etc.. and communications/automation tools of both personal and enterprise-wide productivity to users at the General Secretariat.

Provide facilities for research and enhanced information dissemination such as organizational website, library and information documentation facilities, electronic printing networks etc...

lnternetworking infrastructure allows embassies and other institution to connect and share via remote access services to access intranet information resources.

Possibility of scaling the project by linking to Regional offices of AU, sub-regional organizations and other international organizations.

Can be regarded as pilot scale project for a continent-wide network.

The Solution:

UNDP Sponsored Capacity Building Project that utilizes the information Systems Support component for the establishment of an early warning system for the AU Conflict Management Center.

UNOPS Project Services component

Local Company to provide the required technology supply, systems integration services, project implementation and overall delivery. Contract award to www.cbsintl.com.

Complementary Initiatives

2007-05-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

One of important project initiative since the launching of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI).
Bridge shortcomings with existing Knowledge Networks in Africa and globally, and also complement and supplement other initiatives to be implemented under AISI.
CIIN also supports the current theme of GAID
CIIN is complimentary to .Africa

Strategic Use of the Knowledge Network

2007-05-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

Connectivity of all the RECs to promote networking activities via Internet / Intranet /Extranet
Facilitate cross-border knowledge sharing and research partnerships with key knowledge end-users.
Development of integrated databases and local content to support decision making and to link the public, private sector, and civic society to the RECs
Reduce cost of communication and increase personal communication
Enhance regional identity and global presence
Link and participate with other existing professional knowledge networks and the regular programs of the ECA
Generate demand-driven research relevant to practical policy issues
Increase competitiveness and productivity
Upgrade of equipment and training in the use of new information and communication technologies
Development of an effective communication strategy to make known the work of RECs

Technologies/Applications

2007-05-02T04:05:00.000-07:00

Internet /Intranet/Extranet
Web Portals, Web Casting, Web Content Development
Integrated DataBase
Multimedia Capabilities
Broadband, VOIP, Mesh Network
Data Video Streaming, Data Casting via Satellite
Knowledge search engines

Sectoral Applications

E-government
Micro Finance
E- Education
E-Health/Telemedicne
E-Commerce
Academic Research (S&T)

Project Stakeholders

2007-05-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
Policy Makers
Institiute of Higher Learning
Civil Society
Private Sector
AU/ECA/ADB/World Bank/GKP/GAID/ITU

Action Plan

2007-05-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

NEEDS ANALYSIS

Existing regional Solutions
Civil Society
Regional Contacts
Brain storming
Vision /Mission papers

Plan of Implementation:

Business Plan
Use of Network
Technology: Broadband, Wi-fi, VOIP
Resources
Training/Capacity Building

Critical Success Factor

2007-05-02T03:51:00.001-07:00

Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge
Early Commitment of Stakeholders
Participation of leading Content Dev Group
Selection of Tested Technologies/Applications
Strong Local Presence/Expertise
Team Work among stakeholders
Superior Project Management Methodology
Training (Capacity Building)
Support - Post Implementation
Funding and Resource Management