Ethiopia Internet Development Conference 2020

Day 1: 3 March 2020

Conference introduction

Dr. Dawit Bekele, Internet Society
09:00 – 10:30

Opening Session

Speakers:

- Adugna Necho, Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter Adugna Necho, Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter
- Andrew Sullivan, CEO, Internet Society
- Dr. -Ing. Abiot Sinamo, Director General, ICT Sector, FDRE Ministry of Innovation and Technology
- Dr. Christian Bope, Chairman, AFRINIC
- Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society, African Union Commission
Coordinator: Dr. Ahmed Hussien, HiLCoE Computer Systems Engineering
10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:30

Keynote Speeches: An Exciting Past and a Thrilling Future of the Internet

Speakers:

- Professor Elijah Bitange Ndemo, Professor, University of Nairobi
- Andrew Sullivan, CEO, Internet Society
Coordinator: Dr. Dawit Bekele, Internet Society
12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 15:00

Foundations of Internet for Development

- Internet technology & infrastructure fundamentalsOlaf Kolkman, Internet Society
Focuses on the different pieces of the Internet infrastructure that make up the inter-connected network that is the Internet

- Internet ecosystem and governanceAnriette Esterhuysen, Internet Governance Forum’s Multistakeholder Advisory Group
Focuses on the relationship & collaborations among different components that exists in the global Internet and the necessary standards & practices to coordinate this

- Internet economicsDr. Lishan Adam, Consultant
Focuses on the economic transaction that happens by different systems within the Internet infrastructure
Chair: Solomon Kassa, TechTalk
15:00 – 15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 – 17:00

Africa and the Internet

- Evolution of the South African Internet InfrastructureNishal Goburdhan, PCH

- Internet institutions and governanceBob Ochieng, ICANN

- African Internet institutionsBrice Abba, AFRINIC

- African Interconnection EconomicsMichuki Mwangi, Internet Society
Chair: Ghislain Nkeramugaba, PCH

Day 2: 4 March 2020

09:00 – 10:30

Bringing Ethiopia to the Future

- Dawit Birhanu, CEO, Websprix

- Ethiopia successes and failures under monopoly Internet structure – Dr. Lishan Adam, Consultant

- What can Ethiopia learn from KenyaVictor Kyalo, Consultant

- Discussions
Chair: Moctar Yedaly, African Union Commission
10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:30

Parallel Panel Discussion in Tracks

11:00 – 12:30

Governance Track

Summary

Robust Internet deployment policies can help develop and nurture an ecosystem using innovative approaches to provide governance structures that understand the impact of different incentives and that are fit for this constantly evolving environment. This session will explore ways to go beyond working in silos and become truly multidisciplinary in the ways we think about the governance of emerging technologies.

- Creating an enabling policy framework
- Capacity building
- Building local Internet Institutions
- Creating an enabling legal and regulatory framework
- M&E

Panelists:

- Alice Munyua, Mozilla
- Malcolm Hutty, LINX
- Mercy Ndegwa, Facebook
Moderator: Verengai Mabika, Internet Society
11:00 – 12:30

Development Track

Summary

By design, the Internet’s intelligence lies on the edge and not on the core. This means that Internet users are empowered to be innovative and creative in solving both local and global challenges, often referred to as “Permissionless Innovation”. The premise of the Internet as an enabler for knowledge-based societies and digital economies is largely dependent the ability to harness the Internet’s full potential. This session will aim to identify the key areas, that require deliberate and strategic local development, in order to empower the local communities to leverage on the expected Internet growth in Ethiopia.

- Positioning the local workforce
- Bringing Internet everywhere
- Attracting investment
- Building a strong Internet economy
- Enhancing local entrepreneurship
- Encouraging content providers & service providers locally within Ethiopia

Panelists:

- Victor Kyalo, World Bank
- Reg Orton, BRCK
- Robert Mullins, Roha Africa
- Noel Daniel, Kudu Ventures
Moderator: Solomon Kassa, TechTalk
11:00 – 12:30

Technical Track

Summary

It is customary to think of Internet infrastructure primarily in terms of wires and cables, but in reality, it is much more broad-based. There are a whole multitude of players that designs, deploy and operate all the different parts & systems that make up the interconnected network of networks that we call the Internet. This session will try to identify and categorize technical areas that are challenging to develop Internet infrastructure in the country.

- Building local Internet infrastructure.
- last mile infrastructure
- Core backbone and Optical infrastructure
- Local IXP and regional & global Internet
- Datacenter and local web hosting services

- Building Technical capacity
- Increasing engineering skill set that can develop and operate the various layers of the Internet infrastructure
- Increase R&D capability

Panelists:
- Meried Bekele, IE Networks
- Zelalem Assefa, EthERNet
- Dawit Birhanu, WebSprix
- Ben Ryall, Facebook
Moderator: Ghislain Nkeramugaba, PCH
12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 17:00

Roundtable Discussion in Small Groups per Track

Governance Track

- Creating an enabling policy framework
- Capacity building
- Building local Internet Institutions
- Creating an enabling legal and regulatory framework
- M&E (UNESCO)

Moderator: Verengai Mabika, Internet Society

Development Track

- Positioning the local workforce
- Bringing Internet everywhere
- Attracting investment
- Building a strong Internet economy
- Enhancing local entrepreneurship
- Encouraging content providers & service providers locally within Ethiopia

Moderator: Michuki Mwangi, Internet Society

Technical Track

- Building local Internet infrastructure.
- last mile infrastructure
- Core backbone and Optical infrastructure
- Local IXP and regional & global Internet
- Datacenter and local web hosting services

- Building Technical capacity
- Increasing engineering skill set that can develop and operate the various layers of the Internet infrastructure
- Increase R&D capability

Moderator: Robel Kitaba, Facebook

Day 3: 5 March 2020

09:00 – 10:30

Keynote Speech

- Lydia Gachungi, Regional Adviser on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, UNESCO
- Eddy Mabano Kayihura, CEO, AfriNIC
- H.E. Dr. Ahmedin M. Ahmed, State Minister for ICT at Ministry of Innovation and Technology
Chair: Dr. Dawit Bekele, Internet Society
10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:00

Reporting

- Reporting from Tracks by each moderator
- Possible practical next steps
Chair: Michuki Mwangi, Internet Society
11:00 – 12:30

Closing

- Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society, African Union Commission
- Dr. Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President for Africa, Internet Society
- H.E Dr. Ahmedin M. Ahmed, State Minister for ICT at Ministry of Innovation and Technology
Chair: Solomon Kassa, TechTalk
Date and Time

Tuesday 03 March 2020 –

Thursday 05 March 2020

Location

Hilton Addis Ababa

Menelik II Ave, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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