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African University Network

The African University Network (AFUNET) is a practical response to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plan of Action. It is designed to enhance the capabilities of African universities to take advantage of the opportunities associated with the emergence of the global information society. Investment in African universities today would constitute a critical building pillar in the development of an African knowledge economy whose dividends will be knowledgeable young leaders and professionals well equipped to confront and tackle the challenges facing Africa today and in future.

Notwithstanding the current environment characterized by limited liberalization and poor clarity of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks within telecommunication markets of most developing countries, in particular Sub-Sahara Africa, and based on experience and data collected from several countries, it is clear that a policy of positive facilitation of African academic development through an initiative such as the AFUNET will not only produce high dividends to the African continent, but also to the rest of the world by producing African citizens who can equally and actively participate in the global economy and information society.This matches similar experience elsewhere in the world where key public agencies, such as the National Science Foundation in the United States have put in place the infrastructure required to support scientific research.

The results from the AFUNET project was handed over to AAU Association of African Universites. A net Research and Networking Unit has been established with the objective to develop the issues further.