The four-paragraph, one-sentence and the single line descriptions below should be used in publications, articles or press releases to describe the AfricaConnect2 project. Please refer to the descriptions below to ensure that accurate information is communicated.
AfricaConnect2 – Connecting the research and education communities across Africa.
AfricaConnect2 is an EU-funded pan-African connectivity project that aims to support the development and consolidation of high-capacity regional internet networks for R&E across Africa and their interconnection with the pan-European GÉANT network, creating a continental gateway for collaborative research and education across and beyond Africa.
The AfricaConnect2 project aims to support the creation and consolidation of national and regional research and education (R&E) networks across Africa that provide access to dedicated, high-capacity internet connectivity and offer a gateway to global R&E collaborations through their interconnection with the pan-European GÉANT network.
Building on the achievements of AfricaConnect, its predecessor project, and EUMEDCONNECT, which created regional networks for R&E communities in Eastern and Southern Africa and Northern Africa respectively, AfricaConnect2 sets out to embark on a pan-African mission, thus contributing to sustainable development and a more inclusive Information Society across the whole African continent.
Whilst the connectivity boost will improve the lives of millions of Africans through advanced research and education, it will equally benefit collaborative scientific research the world over, in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, crop research, malaria and other infectious diseases.
AfricaConnect2 will last until 15/05/2021 with a budget of €26.6m, with €20m contributed by the European Commission's Directorate-General International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO). The remaining funds (€6.6m) are being provided by the African partners on the basis of a cost-sharing model.