Profiles of electronic networking initiatives in Africa

The profiles briefly describe the origin and scope of each initiative and identify institutional contact points, E-mail addresses, and sources for detailed technical information. Part 1 of the report profiles five non-African organizations which have contributed significantly in this area: the International Development Research Center (IDRC); the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); the U.S. National Research Council"s Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID); the Association for Progressive Communications (APC); and Baobab Communications. Part 2 of the report describes 13 Africa-wide regional electronic initiatives: (1) HealthNet; (2) Pan African Development Information System (PADIS) and Capacity and Infrastructure Building in Electronic Communications in Africa (CIBECA); (3) Eastern and Southern Africa Network (EASNet); (4) Non-Governmental Organizations Network for Africa (NGONEt-Africa); (5) African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSONet); (6) African Regional Centre for Technology Information System (ARCTIS); (7) Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) and Southern Africa Food Information and Resource Exchange Network (SAFIRE); (8) Volunteers in Technical Assistance Communications System (VITACOMM); (9) Consultative Group on Agriculture Network (CGNET); (10) Regional Informatics Network for Africa (RINAF); (11) Reseau Informatique de l"ORSTOM (RIONET); (12) Sustainable Development Network (SDN); and (13) African Research Information Network (AFRINET). Part 3 describes national electronic networking initiatives in 9 countries (Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). Includes bibliography.