More than a decade after the telecommunications policy reform in many African countries, there continues to be a deficit in universal affordable access to fixed telecom infrastructure. This deficit severely limits the possibility of information and communication technologies (ICTs) being used to foster social and economic development, yet, the problem persists despite the phenomenal increase in access to mobile telecom networks, and greatly inhibits access to information and knowledge through the internet, which still requires broadband connectivity through fixed networks. APC’s Communication for Influence in Central, East and West Africa project (CICEWA) project links advocacy, research, network-building and action for regional ICT development – here is what the project has taught us.

Two years ago, APC’s policy team led a project that would help strengthen African civil society to advocate for affordable broadband, adequate infrastructure, and in some cases, universal access funds which help put in place the necessary systems to achieve universal access to the internet. The Communication for Influence in Central, East and West Africa, or CICEWA, initiative was about identifying the political obstacles – what we called policy knots to extending affordable access to ICT infrastructure in Africa – and to advocate for their removal in order to create sound platforms for sub-regional connectivity. As the project comes to an end, participants reflect on their experience – the lessons learned, the challenges they encountered and what they found most rewarding — through interviews with APCNews.

Currently, about 20 million Kenyans own mobile phones. Mobile phones receive their signals over electromagnetic waves that are also used for everything from home appliances like microwave ovens and remote controls, to the radio and internet. These waves are assigned different frequencies or spectrum so that they don’t interfere with each other. However Kenya is at risk of running out of spectrum because of an outdated spectrum allocation framework and a disaster in day-to-day communications and the security of countless services is waiting to happen. A new study by Muriuki Mureithi commissioned by the APC proposes a solution.

“I used to think that computers are only for those people who are educated and are in big offices in Kampala but today I have realized that I can also use a computer,” said Kintu Solome, who received training in ICT skills at a workshop led by APC partner Isis WICCE in Uganda 15-19 November. Isis-WICCE was awarded a small grant from APC Women’s Networking Support Programme’s (WNSP) Take Back the Tech! to end violence against women project to hold the training.