The event currently going on in Accra, Ghana, brings together the stakeholders in the internet industry in Africa. Organized by Afrinic, the theme of the event is “Promoting the Multi-stakeholder Model for further Internet Development in Africa”. From 14^th -16^th October 2009. Ghana ministry of Communication is the host while ICANN, AfriNIC, Internet Society, PANOS Institute of West Africa and MTN are the leading partners.

In the blogosphere, attendants are tweeting live from the event. The top tweeterers you can follow are: @niyyie @nnenna and @camega with the hashtag #waigf.

Current highlights so far (from the start to current top-bottom):

• Access to the Internet must be i) available and ii) affordable
• Access begins with electricity and affordability. – Ashok
• Access is a means to an end. Information society must lead to the productive economy.
• Ashok B. Radhakissoon of AfriNIC is spoke about “Factors limiting access in Africa”. http://bit.ly/19oG5Y (PDF)
• Content needs to be available in the language that the people understand. Monopolies are actually are policy issue – Ashok
• Open Standards is a sine qua none condition for access. Internet is an open medium per excellence – Ashok.
• open standards are important in fuelling innovation – Ashok
• removal of monopolies, licensing new players, new interconnection regimes and universal access important conditions for access
• Government participation is crucial in ensuring access – Ashok
• One key thing that must also be considered is new low-cost broadband infrastructure for the last mile approach for broadband
• Sunday Folayan of Skannet.com runs through a “Highlight of Access Initiatives (IXPs, Root Server Copy, Submarine Cables)” in Africa.
• Sustainable business models around community owned information network w/ gov’t support is a way to connect all http://bit.ly/Am4Nc
• 4 new fibre cables to cross West Africa within 2 years. That would bring the total to 8 for Africa in total. Good news.
• Afrinic supports in the deployment of root servers. But you need to ask! In November 2008, there were 166 Instances, with 7 being in Africa
• Internet Workshop coming up in Cairo, Egypt between 2ng and 4th November 2009 discussing the root server issues.
• Root operators are eager to deploy root nodes in Africa. Mozambique seems to be the next. #waigf No request from W/Africa since Nov 2009.
• Mozambique is next African country to host a root copy
• As at today, there are 191 Instances and 9 in Africa.
• There are presently 9 nodes (2 global) in Africa. #waigf DNS query now faster in Kenya following deployment of K root.
• “Status of Internet Exchange Points in West Africa” by Muhammed Rudman of Nigeria Internet eXchange Point (NIXP).
• Only three out of the 16 countries in West Africa have exchange points
• Only 3 exchange points in West Africa at this time. W/Africa has 15 countries and a combined population of about 250 million.
• NIgeria has achieved 100% of the Lagos exchange point. Will be deploying an F-root server soon
• NIXP now has 22 members. NCC has ordered all ISPs in Nigeria to join the NIXP! #waigf Potential for steep growth in the corner.
• NIXP plans to interconnect 6 exchange points in Nigeria and all West African IXPs. Content Deployment Network nodes to be deployed.
• Agreements signed for an Internet root server node to be deployed in Nigeria.
• Dr. Amos Anyimadu, Convenor of AfricaTalks, spoke about “Solution to Broadband, Submarine Cables”
• The Government of Uganda has defined ‘broadband’ in the country as 256k/s and is hoping to increase that in the next years.
• Anyimadu said as a user,he has not had the opportunity to get all the information. Beyond the media pix, nothing else is being said
• MainOne, from indications, would relatively cheaper than its competitors in offering submarine Internet connectivity to West Africa.
• Anyimadu says the 3 Ps are important: Pipes, policies and people
• Anyimadu said as an end user, I dont follow the debate, and I dont care where my Internet connection comes from as long as it work.
• Nii Quaynor has challenged Africans to go beyond the information society – up to a wise society – Anyimadu
• Internet capacity for the University of Ghana was 64kb per second at the very early point, says Dr Amos Anyimadu.
• “I think the Internet should be a utility” Dr Amos Anyimadu. #waigf Easy local content delivery via the Internet is most important.
• Anyimadu; Bandwidth may never be enough but no matter how little you can get something done with it.
• Dr. Edmund Katiti of NEPAD e-Africa Commission is spoke on “Broadband Initiatives at NEPAD”
• Katiti: An e-Africa commission staff member has been hired but it is taking 4 months to get a work permit in South Africa!
• Costs of E1 internet connectivity Hovers around $5,000 in Africa and about $10,000 for land-locked African countries!
• Until Seacom cable landed in Mombasa, there were no cables in East Africa.
• Basic Broadband infrastructure should be viewed as “public good”.
• NEPAD Terrestial Network is called Uwajanet.
• Michuki Mwangi: Rwanda has defined broadband as 256kbps & will double every year, meaning in 2010 is 512kbps & 2011, 1Mbps
• There is a cable that link part of Africa to parts of Southern America. ATLANTIS 2 http://bit.ly/1HdssO
• Dr. Edmund Katiti: Uhurunet Submarine Cable System would circle Africa and connect every coastal African country.
• NEPAD plan: First submarine links around Africa, then terrestrial links across African countries and cities. Plans 2 liase with IXPs.
• Michuki says it is better to use peering instead of transit. In case the dollar goes up, your costs can be managed. Peering =free
• Adiel: AfriNic cannot oblige govts to run their ISPs and exchange points in a particular way. They can advise and discuss.
• Eric Akumiah, AfTLD Admin Manager speaks: “Overview of the value of ccTLDs & Current Situation in West Africa: Issues and Challenges”
• SESSION 5: CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE INTERNET  panelist FOSSFA, Diplo, MTN, ICANN and AfriNic  Moderator: Sunday Folayan
• Estimate is, about 10,000 applications would come forth when gTLDs become open. Security and stability concerns are in the air. ICANN has a lot of outreach programmes and events aimed at educating people about how to apply for gTLDs.
• African Guidebook is being published by ICANN to guide African on many issues
• Application fee to ICANN for TLD begins from 185 thousand USD
• gTLDs: Only orgs can apply. $185,000 fees. Stringent requirements & myst demonstrate financial, operational & technical capacity.
• Adiel, CEO of AfriNIC on IPv4 to IPv6: Sustaining Internet Development in Africa
• IPv4 at the IANA level will be finished by October 13, 2011.
• Adiel: IPv6 is not backwards compatible with IPv4 but it provides a very large IP address space.
• The main cost for deploying IPv6 today is training. IPv6 is same packet-based network & only uses a different protocol.
• Most equipment since 2000 are IPv6 compatible. This is good news.
• The largest cost for most network managers will be training, followed by assessment of the networks – Adiel
• Agree on FOSSFA/Afrinic partnership. Media is important too. Say Targeted media training during Afrinic et others
• IPv6 is the way to go. It is the future of the Internet. Gov’ts need to play a leading role in this area by being ready themselves.
• Adiel: Internet number resources are critical for Internet growth and its development
• Adiel A. Akplogan thinks Africa is part of the next billion people on the Internet and wants us to think IPv6.
• Adiel is concluding by saying that IPv6 is an opportunity for growth in Africa
• Godfred K. Ahuma of DiploFoundation speaks on “IG Capacity Building Programme: A model for regional training.”