The webinars explore insight knowledge and experience for the Internet from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disruptions and how those lessons can be used to make the Internet a tool that contributes to the socio-economic development of Africa and even beyond the pandemic.
Expected Outcome
The discussions are expected to lead to comprehensive policy and regulatory recommendations that enable governments and regulators to better understand how to create a stronger Internet to help Africa not only during COVID-19 times but also after the pandemic.
Participants
The events are expected to bring together African policy makers, regulators, Internet technologists and users.
First webinar: Internet Resilience in Africa in the context of COVID-19
In this new era of lockdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, more Africans are discovering the importance of the Internet during these social distancing times. They use the Internet for livelihoods, education, businesses and for entertainment. This exceptional moment has also shown the resilience of the Internet as well as the shortcomings of Africa’s Internet infrastructure and digital economy.
This first webinar, which took place on June 1, assessed the growing impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods and work in Africa and examined the readiness of the continent’s Internet infrastructure to help mitigate those challenges. The event discussed the impact of the quick and major changes in the use of the Internet that had occurred in the last few months due to COVID-19 on the operations of organizations such as AFRINIC, Internet Service Providers and Cable Operators. It also discussed how the Internet had allowed business continuity during lockdowns and how governments, regulators, operators and the private sector had used the Internet to ease the disruption of our social and economic life. Last but not least, it discussed how the Internet is being used in the fight against COVID-19.
Speakers
- Moctar Yedaly, Head Information Society Division, African Union
- Eddy Kayihura, CEO, AFRINIC
- Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President – Africa, The Internet Society
- Funke Opeke, CEO, Main One
- John Omo, Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union
- Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Member, African Union Commission Cybersecurity Expert Group
- Hossam El Gamal, Chairperson, Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA)
- Andile Ngcaba, Founding Partner and Chairman, Convergence Partners
Watch the recorded livestream:
