Introduction
It is important that national ICT research priorities are aligned with national strategic priorities and available expertise. As a result the IST-Africa Consortium is undertaking an extensive consultation with the research communities in 18 African Countries across North Africa (Egypt, Tunisia), West Africa (Senegal, Ghana), East Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), Central Africa (Cameroon) and Southern Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland). This consultation has been undertaken as part of national IST-Africa Training workshops supplemented by direct one-on-one engagement with senior representatives of key stakeholders undertaking ICT-related research at a national level. All organisations have been encouraged to prepare an organisational profile to highlight their track record and expertise.
A survey has also been undertaken to provide an overview of the ICT Environment and ICT related initiatives currently ongoing at a national level based on consultation of all key research actors.
The findings outline the rich mix of ICT related activities being undertaken in different African countries and the depth of research institutions that exist.
The table below provide an overview of the main institutions and research areas of interest mapping to current Challenges under the FP7-ICT Work Programmes for 2010 - 2013, based on consultations undertaken during 2010 - 2012.
As Table 1 illustrates, the partners have engaged with all relevant research organisations in each partner country. In each case, engagement was with the most senior representatives of each institution (including Chancellor, Dean, Head of Department or Professor in the case of universities). This exercise is to inform both national policy and provide insight to the European Commission and African Union Commission, to provide guidance when developing future international research calls.
There is a strong clustering of interest across most IST-Africa Partner Countries in four key areas (1) Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures, (2) ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources, followed by (3) ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance and (4) ICT for Mobility, Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency.
Like the smaller clusters around Technologies for Digital Content and Languages (Burundi, Egypt, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa) and ICT for Agriculture (Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania and Uganda), it is perhaps surprising that these clusters are not more pan-African in nature. It is certainly likely that these smaller clusters will continue to grow over the coming years.
Table 1: Overview of National ICT Research Players and Research areas of Interest
| Country | ICT Research Players | Research Areas of interest |
| Botswana | University of Botswana; BOTEC, National Technology Research Centre; Cable for Africa | Networks (Future Networks, Cloud Computing, Trustworthy ICT); Smart components; Networked Media; eHealth; Language Technologies; Technology Enhanced Learning; Digital Preservation |
| Burundi | Université du Burundi; Université Espoir d'Afrique; Université Lumière de Bujumbura; Université des Grands Lacs | Digital Libraries; Technology-Enhanced Learning; |
| Cameroon | University of Yaounde I; National Advanced School of Engineering, University of Yaounde I; Douala University; Dschang University; Ngaoundere University; University of Buea | Integrated services networks; Distance Learning Environments; GIS for Environmental Management; eHealth; Data mining and statistical modelling; |
| Egypt | Alexandria University; American University in Cairo; Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime; Assiut University; Azhar University; Cairo University; Ein Shams University; Helwan University; Mansoura University; National Telecommunications Institute; Nile University; ITIDA; MCIT; CMIC (Cairo Microsoft Innovation Center); EngNet Company; Orange (France Telecom); IBM; Valeo | Environmental Management and Energy; Digital Libraries; Technology-Enhanced Learning; Language Technologies; eHealth; ICT for Transport; Intelligent Content & Semantics; Network of the Future; Embedded systems; Trustworthy ICT |
| Kenya | Strathmore University; Moi University; University of Nairobi; Mombasa Polytechnic University College; Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology; Kenya ICT Board; Kenya Agriculture Research Institute; Kenya Medical Research Institute; Multimedia University College; Presbyterian University of East Africa; Kenya Polytechnic University College; Kenya Methodist University; United States International University; Mt. Kenya University; Egerton University; Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology; Inoorero University; Kenya Education Network Trust (KENET); Kenyatta University; The Catholic University of East Africa; iHub Nairobi | Network Design; Trustworthy ICT; Intelligent Information Management, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Wireless Technology; Digital Libraries; Open Source Technologies; eHealth; Remote Sensing and GIS; ICT for Agriculture; eTourism; Mobile Applications (including mServices, mBanking/mobile money) |
| Lesotho | National University of Lesotho; Lesotho College of Education; Department of Agricultural Research; Ministry of Health | Digital Libraries; Technology-Enhanced Learning; ICT for Agriculture; eHealth; Trustworthy ICT |
| Malawi | University of Malawi- Chancellor College; Polytechnic; Mzuzu University; Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UbuntuNet Alliance | E Health, m health, E-learning, Digital Libraries, Bioinformatics, ICT for Agriculture and Environmental sustainability, eInfrastructure |
| Mauritius | University of Mauritius; University of Technology, Mauritius; Mauritius Research Council; National Information and Communication Technology Evaluation and Research Network (NICTERN) | Bioinformatics; Technology-enhanced Learning; IPv6; Context Awareness; Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing; Intelligent Systems; Data mining using agent technology; BPO; eCommerce; Trustworthy ICT |
| Mozambique | ARPAC - National Institute for Socio-Cultural Research; Mozambican ICT Institute; Eduardo Mondlane University; Pedagogical University; Higher Institute of International Relations; Catholic University; São Tomás University; Eduardo Mondlane University Informatics Centre; Centre of Medicine and Medical Equipment of the Ministry of Health; National Health Institute; Higher Polytechnic and University Institute; Mozambican Higher Institute of Science and Technology; Higher Institute of Transport and Communication; Higher Institute of Health Sciences; Higher Institute of Public Administration; National Institute of Education Development; and Agrarian Research Institute of Mozambique. | Technology-Enhanced Learning; Digital Libraries; Mobile Applications; Trustworthy ICT; Environment sustainability; ICT for Agriculture Technology-Enhanced Learning; Digital Libraries; Mobile Applications; Trustworthy ICT; Environment sustainability; ICT for Agriculture
|
| Namibia | University of Namibia, Polytechnic of Namibia | Cloud Computing, Trustworthy ICT, eHealth, Digital Preservation, eGovernance, Water management, |
| Rwanda | National University of Rwanda, Kigali Institute of Technology and Management, Kigali Independent University, Byumba Polytechnic Institute, Kigali Institute of Education, Kigali Health Institute, Higher Agriculture and Veterinary Institute, Kibungo University of Agriculture, Technology and Education | Trustworthy ICT, Mobile Applications, Digital Libraries, Technology-Enhanced Learning, eHealth; Water Management |
| Senegal | Universite Cheikh Anta Diop; Universite Gaston Berger; Ecole Supérieure Polytechnique de Dakar; EPT; Centre de Suivi Ecologique; UGB St-Louis; SCA; L'Agence De l'Informatique de l'Etat (ADIE); Panos Institute | Future Networks; Research Networks; Bioinformatics; Sensors; Networked Media; Robotics; Language Technologies; eHealth; Water Management; Energy Efficiently design; Technology-Enhanced Learning |
| South Africa | CSIR/Meraka Institute; Medical Research Council; Cape Peninsula University of Tech; Central University of Technology; Durban University of Technology; Fort Hare University; Monash University; Nelson Mandela Metro University; North West University; Rhodes University; Stellenbosch University; Tshwane University of Technology; UNISA; University of Cape Town; University of Free State; University of Johannesburg; University of KwaZulu Natal; University of Limpopo; University of Pretoria; University of Venda; University of Zululand; Vaal University of Technology; Walter Sisulu University; University of the Western Cape; Wits University | Future Networks; Mobile Applications; Usability; Trustworthy ICT; eHealth; Digital Libraries; Technology-Enhanced Learning; Environmental Sustainability; Distributed Computing; ICT for Rural Communities |
| Tanzania | University of Dar es Salaam; Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology; Open University of Tanzania; University of Dodoma; Ardhi University; Sokoine University of Agriculture; Muhimbili University of Health Sciences; Tumaini University College, Dar es Salaam | Telemedicine; eHealth; High Performance Computing; Technology-Enhanced Learning; Digitial Libraries; eGovernment; ICT for Agriculture; eInfrastructures; Entrepreneurship |
| Tunisia | University of Manouba (National School of Computer Sciences); University of Tunis (Higher School of Sciences and Techniques of Tunis); University of Tunis El Manar (National Engineering School of Tunis, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of El Manar); University of Carthage (Tunisia Polytechnic School, National Engineering School of Bizerte, Higher School of Technology and Computer Sciences of Carthage, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mateur, Higher School of Communication of Tunis); University of Jendouba (Higher Institute of Applied Linguistics and Computer Sciences of Beja, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Kef); University de Sousse (Higher Institute of Computer Science and Communication Technologies of Hammam Sousse, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Sousse, National Engineering School of Sousse); University of Kairouan (Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Management of Kairouan, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Kairouan, Higher Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences of Kairouan); University of Monastir (National Engineering School of Monastir, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Mathematics of Monastir, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Mahdia, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia); University of Sfax (National Engineering School of Sfax, Higher Institute of Electronics and Communication of Sfax, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Multimedia of Sfax); University of Gabes (National Engineering School of Gabes, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences and Multimedia of Gabes, Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes, Higher Institute of Computer Sciences of Medenine); University of Gafsa (Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gafsa); Elgazala Technopark for Communication TechnologiesCenter for Research and Studies of Telecommunications; Sousse Research Center for Microelectronics and Nanotechnology; Sfax Research Center for information Technology, Communications & Multimedia | ICT and health: shared medical records, patients remote monitoring, etc; ICT and sustainable development (smart grid, M2M, ITS, etc.); ICT and digital content (cultural heritage, recreation, etc.); ICT and digital city (e-government); ICT for efficient water resources management; ICT for sustainable multi-modal mobility; ICT and digital libraries (cultural diffusion, e-learning and e-education, etc.); Intelligent systems; Grid and cloud computing; Network security; Management of large amounts of data distribution; Smart energy grids; Multimedia; Telecommunication; MEMS; Nanoelectronics; Robotics |
| Uganda | Busoga University; Bugema University; Gulu University; Kampala International University; Kyambogo University; Makerere University; Mbarara University of Science & Technology; Ndejje University; The Inter-University Council for East Africa; Uganda Martyrs University | eHealth; Trustworthy ICT; Digital Libraries; Technology-Enhanced Learning; eInclusion; eAccessibility; ICT for Agriculture |
The individual country chapters provide more detailed information.
This report is authored by Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Botswana; Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche Scientifique, Burundi; Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt; Ministry of Science and Technology, Ethiopia; Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ghana; Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Kenya; Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Lesotho; National Commission for Science and Technology, Malawi; National Computer Board, Mauritius; Instituto Nacional de Tecnologias de Informacao e Comunicacao, Mozambique; Ministry of Education, Namibia; Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur de la Recherche Scientifique, Senegal; Department of Science & Technology, South Africa; Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Swaziland; Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH); Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche Scientifique, Tunisia; Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd, Ireland.
The content of each country chapter is the responsibility of the respective national IST-Africa Partner.
The IST-Africa Guide to ICT Research Capacity is copyrighted by the IST-Africa Consortium. As updated as available the content will be refreshed.
