The Pan-African e-Network project is an information and communications technology (ICT) project between India and the African Union that seeks to connect the 55 member states of the Union through a satellite and fibre-optic network to India and to each other to enable access to and sharing of expertise between India and African states in the areas of tele-education, telemedicine, Voice over IP, infotainment, resource mapping, meteorological services, e-governance and e-commerce services.[1][2][3] The project is often described as Africa's biggest ever in the ICT sector and is expected to extend ICT infrastructure to rural and previously underserved areas.[4][5] The project is seen as an example of India furthering its economic and strategic interests in Africa through the use of soft diplomacy and has been acclaimed as an instance of South–South cooperation, helping to overcome the digital divide in Africa.[2][6]
- ^ "Pan-African e-network for education and health care". The Hindu. October 11, 2009. Archived from the original on October 14, 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Ethiopia Pilot Project Highlights" (PDF). Telecommunications Connsultants India Limited. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "Statement by H.E. Mr. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of India to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Representative of India to the African Union and the UNECA at the World Information Technology Forum". Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "Pan-African e-network project launched". The Hindu Businessline. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "India kicks off pan-African e-network project". InfoWorld. September 8, 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "Africa: Pan African e- Network: a model of "South- South cooperation"". Pambazuka News. 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2013.