Internet Connectivity and Access in Communities Across Africa

In this segment AGAG Executive Director, Niamani Mutima welcomes Sarah Armstrong, Executive Director of the Internet Society Foundation who moderates the conversation with the Internet Society’s Regional Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa based in Ethiopia, Dawit Bekele, and Nermine El Saadany Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa based in Egypt. They discuss how both organizations work in supporting internet access and the current status of the connectivity landscape for communities across Africa. They also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and community networks are one tool in closing the digital divide.

The Internet Society supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good in society. The Internet Society Foundation funds initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people. Its work advances the vision of the Internet Society (ISOC) that the Internet is for everyone.

About our Guests

Sarah Armstrong, Executive Director, Internet Society Foundation

Sarah’s career has been dedicated to non-profit, humanitarian and international development work. Her previous position was with Abt Associates where she directed the Marketing Communications department and was responsible for strategy, operations, and program management for the communications, marketing, and business development functions. She had been with Abt for more than seven years. Before joining Abt, Sarah worked as the United States Agency for International Development’s Director of Outreach and Communications in Juba, South Sudan. She has also been a consultant to domestic and international non-profits and has directed successful programs for a wide range of organizations including AARP; the American Red Cross; and clients of Porter Novelli, an international public relations firm.

Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President - Africa, Internet Society
Prior to joining the Internet Society, Dawit worked at Addis Ababa University on teaching and research positions in computer science, since 1994. He also established and managed for more than 4 years a private company that provides Internet-related services. Moreover, in the last ten years, Dawit has worked as a consultant for major international organizations such as United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Bank. His activities enabled him to travel around Africa with information and communication technology professionals from across the continent.

Nermine El Saadany, Regional Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, Internet Society
Nermine came to the ISOC from the Government of Egypt where she was the Under-secretary for International Relations at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Nermine has over 25 years of experience working experience in Internet policy, research on political economy, international and regional affairs, international organizations relations at the United Nations and European Union, and ICT diplomacy. She is a seasoned bilateral and multilateral negotiator and a specialist in the design and implementation of information and communications technology development projects and events.