Wireless technology

Project Capacity Building for Community Wireless Connectivity in Africa was implemented over a period of just over two years (from the end of 2004 to late 2006). It started out primarily as an initiative to gather knowledge and resources on community wireless connectivity. But, working with a network of partners to design the project, its eventual goals were to pilot face-to-face workshops, develop and maintain a distributed knowledge base on wireless for ICT4D, and build partnerships and knowledge networks.

Perhaps one of the most significant outcomes of the project was the four regional training workshops. Initially conceived of workshops to pilot training materials, they achieved significant results in raising awareness of wireless, and positioning most of the 140 people trained in different parts of Africa to teach others, build wireless network, re-use and distribute the materials, and in some cases, link to the emerging African wireless network. Every workshop was over-subscribed, which proves that the demand of training remains enormous in Africa.

A survey of participants in these workshops completed in early 2007, to which 95 of the 140 people trained responded, indicates how they valued these workshops, and the extent to which skills gained have been shared and put into practice. The findings of the survey are summarized in this document.