Leland Initiative: Africa Global Information Infrastructure Project

Trip Report and Action Plan:

Guinea, May 16-22, 1998

June 1998

Numerous opportunities exist for the Mission to fully utilize its Leland Initiative contributions in Guinea to-date, in addition to further expanding Internet connectivity outside Conakry and promoting applications brought by broader Internet access.

In meeting with Mission SOTs and Mission partners during my May 16-22 visit to Guinea, there appeared to be consensus that many potentially viable Internet applications exist in Guinea for these partners. In large part, the key to taking advantage of these opportunities is the development of reliable regional Internet connectivity and related Internet end-user training. As part of the discussions with Mission partners, Internet applications were explored both for the present state of connectivity in Guinea, and as "what if" scenarios given the possibility of enhanced regional Internet connectivity.

Pursuant to my visit to Guinea, and stemming from consultation with Leland colleagues upon my return, three priority Leland activities are suggested for Guinea: (1) secondary city connectivity, (2) the integration of Internet end-user applications for Mission partners, including Leland-funded end-user training, and (3) the hiring a full-time Leland Coordinator, as part of a Mission Information and Communication Technology (Infocom) Team.

This draft Leland Action Plan for Guinea is designed in such a way as to capitalize on the significant contribution already made by the Mission, and to complement existing SOT results packages, while limiting the direct involvement of already taxed Mission personnel.

B. SECONDARY CITY CONNECTIVITY

In consultation with Mission SOTs and Mission partners, it is clear that partner activity would be significantly enhanced by secondary city (beyond Conakry) Internet connectivity. Improving secondary city connectivity through the strategic placement of VSATs (small satellite dishes) in regional centers holds the potential to markedly improve the provision of partner (including governmental) services, the decentralization process, and the overall promotion of economic and social development in Guinea.

The locus of most partner activities is outside Conakry, though the lack of reliable and versatile communication linkages to Conakry from these sites is uniformly seen as a serious obstacle to partner project performance. Moreover, establishing communication linkages between the respective regional offices can be even more challenging than making connection to Conakry.

Using the new VSAT technology to deliver high speed bandwidth to multiple locations at a shared cost may be more attractive than applying all the USAID/Leland resources previously allocated to Guinea to provide bandwidth solely to the capital city for the planned three year period as agreed to in the MOU. In brief, an opportunity exists for USAID and Sotelgui to redirect the bandwidth provision to connect two to four secondary cities to the Internet. The use of these previously allocated funds, coupled with funds brought from a Mission buy-in, would be sufficient to secure the benefits of Internet connectivity outside Conakry. (Budget options are listed below.)

In conversation with the Minister of Infrastructure and Telecommunications, the Mission’s Kenda Diallo and Leland’s Jim Lowenthal noted the Ministry’s general enthusiasm for enhanced regional communication linkages by way of VSAT technology. This solution is already being tested in Mozambique, and has received very favorable response from senior PTT officials in Guinea-Bissau and Mali. Moreover, VSAT technology is now being used in various locations by USIS with very positive results. (Leland uses the same VSAT/satellite equipment supplier as USIS and AID Missions.)

In addition to the financial arrangements for secondary city connectivity, Sotelgui and participating donors will need to develop workable institutional arrangements for the management of this capacity. Siting the VSAT in a provincial Sotelgui compound presents the most secure solution. Management of the bandwidth, however, could be delegated to private providers willing to locate commercial representation in these areas.

[It is important to bear in mind that Internet usage opportunities borne from VSAT installation in secondary cities does not need to be limited to the existing up-country telephone network. Reliable and reasonably priced radio transmission technology is available to create connections between the VSAT and user sites.]

C. TRAINING AND END-USER APPLICATIONS

In meeting with Mission SOTs and Mission partners (both international PVOs and local NGOs) during my stay in Guinea, there appeared to be consensus that many potentially viable Internet applications for these partners exist in Guinea. In large part, the key to taking advantage of these opportunities is reliable regional connectivity, with corresponding Internet end-user training. In discussion with Mission partners, applications were explored which took advantage of both the present state of connectivity in Guinea, in addition to "what if" scenarios given the possibility of enhanced regional connectivity.

The third strategic objective of the Leland Initiative is intended to achieve broad-based utilization of information and global information technologies within USAID’s development community to promote sustainable development. To help realize this objective, a Leland team conducts on-site Internet training to assist USAID Missions and their development partners in harnessing currently available information technologies to further their development objectives. This training will introduce participants to the Internet and to Internet resources relevant to their specific areas of expertise. The participants receive a basic introduction to the Internet and electronic communication; examine the use of information as a strategic tool; learn to locate information relevant to their work and use the Internet for work-related tasks; acquire the skills to train their co-workers; and develop an Action Plan for introducing the Internet in the workplace. Leland trainers will facilitate the formation of a trainee network to communicate and share lessons learned from the training as they embed Internet into their activities.

Prior to the training, the Leland team makes recommendations to the Mission regarding the training environment and composition of the group(s) of participants to maximize the benefit of the training and to ensure the Mission and Leland objectives are achieved. Possibilities for the training structure include:

• Two-day programs focusing on an introduction to the Internet and building awareness about the Internet’s applications and resources (normally 20 participants per 10 computers per 2 days);

• Longer programs with greater focus on both technical and project development aspects of the Leland Initiative;

• Executive sessions for upper-level decision-makers, usually three hours of an introduction to the Internet and applications relevant to their organizations' goals, aimed to facilitate the process of adapting the Internet as a new information and communication tool;

• Training-of-Trainers sessions introducing content and techniques to in-country trainers for their future use.

In conversation with Guinea Mission representatives, it was stressed that the utility of an Internet end-user training was clear, though all emphasized the need for participating organizations to have the capacity to immediately integrate the technology into their organizations following the training. Though most, if not all, Mission partners expressed interest in participating in an Internet end-user training, I observed various levels of Internet and computer sophistication and capacity to readily integrate the training material. Again, secondary city connectivity would make the benefit of the Internet (and Internet training) more readily accessible to Mission partners. With enhanced regional connectivity, partner organizations would be further inclined to purchase and integrate computers at the regional level. Even without a secondary city connectivity effort, ample interest for a training (and opportunity for immediate application) exists among many Conakry-based partners.

• Mid-late September

• Late September-early October

• Early October-mid October

[Due to previously slated training activities, Leland trainers are unavailable until early September. To the extent that it might affect participation, it was noted that May-October is the rainy season. The school year begins in early-October. The Muslim fast and national elections are in December.]

• Mission computer training room

• USIS American Cultural Center

• Price Informatique Guinee

• Conforma

• ETI-Bull

• Bintta

• Sotelgui

• Hotel Camayenne

• Novotel

• Ministry of Education

• University of Conakry

• Any partner facility which may have an adequate level of Internet connectivity by training date (e.g. PRIDE)

[Note that in training facilities where telephone lines are scarce, or dial-up quality is poor, the computers used may be linked through a network, then connected to Sotelgui (or even to the Mission) via a radio linkage. This option may be particularly applicable if training is to be held at the USIS facility).

A document titled, Checklist for Preparing the Training Site, was given to Aaron Chassy while I was in Guinea. Contained therein is a listing of training room/environment, computers/network, and training material needs.

Leland pays for all necessary training materials and facility, and expenses related to the training team’s TDY in Guinea. The Mission is requested to provide assistance in facilitating the work of the Leland training team while in Guinea (i.e. country clearance, hotel reservations, airport pick-up and expediting, currency exchange, help to identify and set-up appointments, temporary USAID network login, access to miscellaneous office supplies and equipment, and reconfirmation of travel plans). Mission assistance (ideally, by way of a Leland Coordinator) is critical in securing the training site, provisioning the site for the training (see Checklist for Preparing the Training Site), finalizing a participant list, and sending invitations to participants.

Presently, most viable Internet applications in Guinea exist only for those partners based in Conakry. Again, enhanced secondary city connectivity would significantly improve the overall utility of the Internet for partners. Stemming from conversations with Mission SOTs and a cross-section of Mission partners concerning current Internet usage and prospective applications brought by enhanced regional connectivity, the Annex at the end of this document suggests specific Internet end-user applications for Mission partners. Most applications require no more investment than a computer and an Internet subscription. The following outlines general Internet end-user applications by Mission SO focus:

General applications: (agriculturists, importers/exporters, entrepreneurs, natural resource managers)

• Trade and investment data sources, local and international

• Creation of low-cost promotional materials

• World Wide Web site development for advertising and marketing

• Access to global market and price information

• Enhanced communication linkages for efficient transport of market goods

• Online "agricultural extension"

• Information sources for potential investors or joint venture partners

• Access to environmental standards and laws

• Environmental and industrial policy information networks

• Environmental discussion groups

General applications: (administrators, health workers, researchers, emergency responders, food security specialists)

• Medical reference material online

• Health care training multimedia materials

• Access to health information exchange fora

• Physicians’ networks

• Processing and submission of medical/health statistics

• Creation of community social marketing campaign materials

• Emergency response information and coordination networks

General applications: (administrators, teachers, students, producers of educational material, teacher training institutes)

• Access to educational World Wide Web sites

• Interactive multimedia subject specific learning and productivity tools

• Language learning resources

• Email accounts for teachers and students for educational exchanges

• School-to-school cultural exchanges via Internet (using pilot school in Conakry, for example)

• Resources to supplement curriculum development

• Resources to supplement professional development of teachers

• Processing and submission of educational statistics

• Improved public sector linkages

• Community Learning Centers (CLCs)

General applications: (NGOs, human rights monitors, government officials, journalists)

• Online legal codes and regulations to promote transparency

• Online election sites to promote community awareness and training

• Networking NGOs for program coordination and cooperation, including gender issues

• Online fund raising

• Access to global news sources

• Networking municipal officials to strengthen decentralization

• Access to multimedia training for judicial sector (lawyers, judges, etc.)

In light of current demands on Mission personnel, successful implementation of Internet activities in Guinea necessitates a one to two year investment in a Leland Coordinator position. Until recently, the Mission=s Program Economist has taken on responsibility for Leland activities as a supplement to his already full workload. The SO4 Team Leader has assumed the point position for Mission Leland activities since, yet also is fully occupied with other SO4 responsibilities. The successful implementation of a Mission=s Leland activities been markedly improved by the presence of a full-time Leland Coordinator. The Missions with Leland Coordinators are Benin, Cote d=Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal (being hired), and Zambia.

Choosing the right Leland Coordinator becomes all the more important if the Mission chooses to undertake the proposed secondary city connectivity component of this Leland Action Plan. This summer, from June through August, a capable Peace Corps Volunteer, Herb Caudill, will be assigned to CENAFOD in Conakry, and be available to assume some in-country Leland duties. A full-time and longer-term (24 mos) Coordinator would still be needed in order to provide the continuity and the attention necessary to both conclude the secondary city connectivity effort, and to assist SOTs to realize the full potential of the Internet. Accordingly, a capable country national, end-of-service PCV, or spouse from the American community, for example, may serve well as a full-time Coordinator following Herb=s departure. Building local capacity should be a priority when considering candidates for the Coordinator position.

It should be noted though that an individual from the American community may not have the perspective or connections to massage many of the secondary city connectivity concerns. As such, in order to complement the skills of the selected Coordinator if he/she is a foreign national, it is suggested that a talented Mission-connected country national, such as Kenda Diallo, continue to be a member of a Mission Information and Communication Technology (Infocom) Team, and remain involved in select key exchanges with Ministry officials and Sotelgui.

Recommendations for establishing a full-time, 24-month Leland Coordinator position include:

(1) The Mission announces the Coordinator job, with an estimated start date of August 1, 1998. The PCV acting as interim Coordinator for the summer may initiate this process. Prospective Leland Coordinator scopes-or-work have been supplied to Aaron Chassy. These scopes-of-work can be refined to meet the specific needs of the Mission Leland activities;

(2) The Mission announces to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Telecommunications and Sotelgui the creation of this new position and the Mission=s intent to fill this position starting August in order to provide support for the successful implementation of Leland activities;

(3) The Mission pays for the first two months of the Coordinator=s position from a project terminating September 30, 1998 (in order to apply funds to this fiscal year);

(4) Leland pays for the first two months of fiscal year 1999 (October-November 1998);

(5) The Mission pays for the next twenty months of the position from the SO4 budget.