Blended Training: Building sustainable networks through shared learning in Africa

The call for the blended training programme received 456 applications from more than 30 sub-Saharan countries, evidencing the needs and interests in the region. Ninety-nine participants were selected from over 20 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group was diverse in age (56 under 35, and 43 over 35) and  27% of them were women.

These participants joined the online phase of the programme that consisted of five courses implemented over 19 weeks, covering topics such as the development of ICT projects in community contexts, telecommunications and community networks, the basics of electricity and solar energy, telecommunications policies, regulatory frameworks, economic sustainability and organisational management.

The first Blended Training ended in Nairobi with a bootcamp that included all the participants who, in 2025, had completed the different courses. The bootcamp was hosted by local organisations deeply committed to this process, such as the Tanda Community Network and the Africa Advanced Level Telecommunication Institute (AFRALTI), at whose institutional headquarters in Nairobi it was held. The bootcamp also brought together representatives of the institutions that support this training, such as the ITU, Rhizomatica, APC, ISOC, WACC and 48percent.org.

“The programme aimed to equip rural and Indigenous communities with the technical and operational capacity to build and manage their own connectivity solutions. This journey culminated in Nairobi, Kenya, with the first ever Africa Network Managers Bootcamp hosted at AFRALTI, bringing together network managers and community leaders for peer learning, practical problem-solving and collaboration that will strengthen resilient digital ecosystems across the continent,” as it was publicly expressed by AFRALTI.

Participants arrived at the AFRALTI campus in Nairobi on the 24 February for the much-awaited immersive experience. The excitement of meeting in-person for the first time, after sharing their online tutorials, was palpable. Participants, facilitators, experts, partners and supporters, all contributed to the joy, enthusiasm and a sense of gratitude and the opening messages of those welcoming the group conveyed these emotions powerfully.

The opening session was a curtain-raiser to the next seven days to celebrate the process of virtual learning, and to conclude it with an insightful experience of capacity building, sharing their experiences and knowledge and putting all the learning acquired in the previous months into practice. Participants of the training, facilitators, and members of support organisations all pitched in to keep the joy and fervour going in the path to strengthening the networks that are advancing community-centred connectivity in the region.

On the 25 February, the bootcamp offered an open space for those not present in the room to join the conversation. The public forum on “Trends, Opportunities and Perspectives for Community-Centred Connectivity in Africa” saw enthusiastic online participation. 

The panel on “Enabling Environments for CCCIs in Africa” witnessed voices from Michuki Mwangi (Internet Society), Richard Anago (International Telecommunication Union), Joseph Bishi (Zimbabwe CN Initiatives), Dennis Sonoiya, from the Communication Authority of Kenya, and Louis Fendji from the University of Ngaoundéré, all moderated by Chat Garcia Ramilo, APC’s executive director.

The forum emphasised that local innovation matters. “Connectivity must be meaningful, with tools and platforms that reflect community realities, climate resilience dashboards, infrastructure support systems, e-learning initiatives, and grassroots platforms toward this vision. Equally, capacity building for youth and women has become the backbone of sustainability,” said Hawi Rapudo from ISOC and the Kijiji Yeetu community network.

Neo Magoro contributed with insights from her experience managing the Mamaila Community Network in Limpopo.

 “She emphasised the importance of committing to sustainable digital literacy development as a core component of providing internet access to marginalised communities – and ensuring that connectivity initiatives are implemented in harmony with the cultural and environmental ethos of the regions they serve,” summarised (Motaung) Thomas Mofolo, content creator.

One of the conversations during the forum centred on sustainability, exploring new self-sustaining financing solutions for community connectivity. 

Carlos Rey Moreno from APC shared the conclusions of some of the latest research on the topic, gathered in an article coauthored by him with Luca Belli and Senka Hadzic, addressing the multiple forms of social and blended finance for CCCIs, including cooperative ownership structures, local revenue generation and strategic partnerships.

The session "Building sustainable networks through shared learning” saw the participation of Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica, Gustaff Iskander from Common Room, and Chako Armant, expert in community network management.

Observing that the event brought together professionals, innovators and community leaders committed to strengthening connectivity and supporting the development of community networks through collaborative learning. Chako Armant said, “These moments are a reminder that sustainable connectivity is not only about infrastructure, but also about knowledge sharing, collaboration, and collective engagement.” 

Melkizedek Mirasi, learning experience designer, said, “Last year, in June and July, together with John Gitonga, we co-designed and delivered a course titled Development of ICT Projects in Community Context. We structured it to provide participants with the foundational knowledge and practical tools required to develop sustainable, community-centred connectivity initiatives.”

The curriculum guided participants through community mapping, historical analysis, critical interrogation of technology choices, and the design of context-appropriate communication strategies responsive to local realities.

“Our course opened a sequence of six. After engaging behind screens last year, it was refreshing to finally meet the participants in person. What a genuine cultural exchange I experienced!” he added. 

Mike Jensen from APC, together with Rebecca Ryakitimbo, consultant at the LocNet initiative team, facilitated a session on local services, associated to the deployment of community-centred connectivity initiatives. 

They emphasised the importance of building digital ecosystems that serve community needs rather than mere extension of internet access. 

In a session on Resilience and Emergency Communications, Peter Bloom from Rhizomatica and Akhmat Sufradin from Common Room and the LocNet initiative introduced the concept of community-based mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) models, sharing how local initiatives can expand mobile connectivity while maintaining community ownership.

Much stress was laid on the importance of connectivity. “What happens when power goes out? When fibre is cut? When flooding disrupts infrastructure? When political or environmental shocks hit?,” asked Pinno Ivan, who works in the area of gender violence in Uganda. “In those moments, connectivity stops being a convenience and becomes lifeline infrastructure. If we are serious about community-centred connectivity in Africa, then we must design networks that can withstand disruption and continue serving the people who depend on them most.”

Energy supply is a key focus of capacity building for community-centred connectivity. The session on solar energy strengthened the practical ability of participants to safely handle basic electrical systems, conduct energy assessments, and design and assemble small-scale solar power solutions that support community-driven digital and development initiatives. Led by Immaculate Laker and Solomon Nono Okot from BOSCO Uganda, the session underscored that resilience in connectivity begins with resilience in energy systems.

“It was truly inspiring to witness how learners effectively applied their online training within a practical environment and built meaningful professional connections despite representing diverse countries and communities. The level of engagement throughout the bootcamp was exceptional, enriched by the depth of experience and unique perspectives each participant contributed,” said Okot Solomon Nono, facilitatin the solar energy session.

“Thinking back on it now, the experience feels bigger than the bootcamp where it eventually concluded. The work started much earlier, during the rather involved process of designing the course itself.” said Immaculate, co-facilitatin the module on solar energy.

“Building a community network is challenging without genuine community involvement, but it becomes sustainable and empowering when it's built with, for and by the community. These networks go beyond connectivity: they preserve and promote local culture and values by enabling the creation of and access to locally relevant content. The hands-on practical sessions covering solar equipment installation, network deployment and management provided invaluable real-world skills,” said Sipho Kumwenda, IT support specialist participant of the bootcamon.
 

A part of the bootcamp was a worksop on finance and investment readiness, led by Brian Vo and Nathalia Foditsch from Connect Humanity where they shared the latest instruments for funding CCCIs, holding new opportunities to grow with the support of financial tools that are adequate, accessible and sustainable. 

Amid growing concern about the sustainability of CCCIs, this space, named Mini MBA, addressed resources like recoverable grants (for not-for-profits and cooperatives), bridge-to-permitting debt (for proven models facing regulatory delays), revenue-based financing (for established operators with recurring revenue) and blended capital pools (for federated ecosystems and decentralised portfolios). 

“Spending time with these leaders was a reminder of the extraordinary ingenuity being applied to closing the digital divide in some of the world's hardest-to-reach communities. What's missing isn't demand, or technical capacity. It's the absence of fit-for-purpose financing built to serve networks like theirs. That's the gap we need to close,” expressed Connect Humanity

“A special thanks to Brian V., who succeeded in training difficult people like me for a mini-MBA!” joked Louis Fendji. 

Guaranteeing a balanced gender perspective was a strong commitment to the training process. Rebecca Ryakitimbo and Harira Wakili lead a session on gender and community-centred connectivity initiatives, exploring how digital access inequalities intersect with gender dynamics. 

The training promoted gender perspective by not only addressing it as an issue in this specific session, but also guaranteeing women’s involvement in the various sessions and roles.

Louis Fendji led a revision of the reviewed telecommunications infrastructure and Stephen Fosu, David Ochiel, and Ruth Njeri from Tanda Community Network coordinated a hands-on deployment training moment.

Fendji, bootcamp facilitator and advisor, observed, “Universities can play a critical role in community-centred connectivity initiatives by acting as ‘social routers’, connecting technology, communities, research, and policy.” 

Participants had the opportunity to visit two local community networks and gain a first-hand perspective on the connectivity challenges faced by underserved communities. They saw how the Tanda Community Network and Oasis Mathare, two leading initiatives in Kenya, have developed community-centred connectivity models that demonstrate how these efforts go beyond providing internet access, contributing instead to greater educational and employment opportunities, as well as improved community services.

“Field visits to the inspiring Tanda Community Network and Oasis Community Network brought classroom concepts to life. Seeing fully operational community networks in action was eye-opening, from the joy of delivering connectivity to community members to the real challenges of ongoing management and sustainability,” said Sipho Kumwenda. 

The visit to Tanda Community Network, and their work in Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in all Africa, allowed participants to also see for themselves how community-owned connectivity infrastructure operates. There they got to know the Afribit Africa, an initiative exploring the intersection of community connectivity and digital financial systems such as Bitcoin.

“The journey recently culminated into a 12-day boot camp in Nairobi at the AFRALTI (African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute), where we met as a cohort of African digital champions to share ideas and strengthen practical skills for building community networks. This experience reinforced a powerful truth: The future of connectivity in Africa will not only be built for communities, but it will also be built by communities”. Joseph Wokwera

The Oasis Mathare Community Network is a community-based organisation that empowers marginalised youths and children from Mathare slums in Nairobi, mainly with library service. This place allows children to come and study away from their homes where they face challenges pertaining to connectivity, electricity and adequate space.

“One thing is for sure, many young people in Africa are inspired to digitise their rural backgrounds by making connectivity a real thing. In Kenya for example, we have communitiy networks deep in the villages connecting and educating people. As a researcher and developer in connectivity and wireless innovation, I was motivated to participate and help more people realise the importance of connectivity using modern and more advanced technologies. Let’s connect Africa!” said Oscar Onyango.

As it was highlighted in the openning sessions, the bootcamp also was one of celebration and there were several reasons to celebrate: the opportunity of being together, the work that is being developed, the knowledge shared in the room, the community way of life and the diversity, involved in it. Also celebrated were digital inclusion leading to the road of dreams and hopes, as well as each steps taken towards those goals.

The bootcamp hold in nairobi was a moment that will for sure impress on those being part. With the feeling of contributing to a milestone in the region and also in their own local experiences.

Pinno Ivan put it succinctly thus: “This bootcamp is reinforcing a simple truth for me – meaningful connectivity is not just about being connected. It is about staying connected when it matters most.”

“This experience reinforced a powerful truth: the future of connectivity in Africa will not only be built for communities, but it will also be built by communities,” predicted Joseph Wokwera.

“This marks the start of bridging the digital gap in Indigenous and rural communities. The future is here, and we are the future we have been waiting for. We are the change we wish for. It's time to change the narrative and be a champion of change and development in these underserved communities,” said Ncube Ntokozo, from the Solusi University.

John Gathii, from trainers group said, “This was a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences on policy frameworks, gender inclusion in community initiatives, telecommunications infrastructure, spectrum sharing, network deployments, and solar energy installations; among practitioners working in diverse contexts but facing similar challenges in building sustainable connectivity solutions rooted in their communities.”

As Tanda Community Network publicly expressed said, “This is more than a bootcamp. It’s a movement toward resilient networks, empowered communities, and a more inclusive digital Africa. Excited to be part of these important conversations and to contribute to the journey ahead.” They appreciated the spirit of collaboration, professionals sharing real-world experiences, exchanging practical solutions, and building relationships “that will strengthen connectivity across the continent”.

From the coordination of the blended trainings in LAC and Africa, Carlos Baca Feldman community media specialist in Indigenous and rural territories, said, “It was great to see the exchange of experiences among practitioners working in very different contexts, but facing similar challenges when building sustainable connectivity solutions rooted in their communities.” He complimented AFRALTI for opening its campus for the bootcamp and the Tanda Community Network “for supporting us with the logistics and sharing their experience as one of the leading community networks in Kenya”.