Nigeria
Internet connectivity is becoming part and parcel of humans’ lives all over the globe, but the story in underdeveloped countries is different and not encouraging. With persistent engagement and advocacy visits by CITAD, progress on setting up community networks in Nigeria has been made.
The meeting, attended by over 40 organisations from different parts of the country, aimed to highlight the importance of community networks as a tool for addressing the digital divide and explore the possibility of joint advocacy for the government to develop an enabling policy framework.
As the Nigerian telecoms regulator is reviewing its licensing processes, CITAD is calling for the inclusion of community networks as a special category of licences to help reach the more than 50% of Nigerians who still have no access to the internet, which has become more vital than ever.
How are APC members improving their communities’ lives? Fantsuam Foundation works on empowering community members, particularly women, to find means of employment and income to meet their own development needs using ICTs.
In a partnership with APC and Rhizomatica's LocNet initiative, 48percent.org is supporting five organisations, in Argentina, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda, in their efforts to strengthen community networks and respond to the challenges in the face of COVID-19.
The initiative is being implemented by APC in partnership with Rhizomatica and aims to develop the models, capacities and sustainability of community networks.
One of the most contentious topics at the 2019 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was artificial intelligence (AI). With its seeming apolitical nature, it is in reality the Trojan horse of political interest, and it took centre stage right from the beginning of the Forum.
Nigeria-based Take Back the Tech! campaigner Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) organised a number of activities, both online and offline, including workshops for young women in secondary schools and radio and television segments on digital rights and risks.
During the Day 3 workshop “Innovative Approaches to Connecting Underserved Areas”, moderator Sebastian Bellagamba stressed that "the cost of not being connected keeps increasing for people," noting the link between internet access and socioeconomic development.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2022
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