The Indian authorities, may claim that the Pan-African e-Network is an extension of the "south-south cooperation" idea, but undoubtedly a major objective of this ambitious ICT project -- to be set up totally by India --, is to woo the resource-rich African nations to ensure a steady supply of resources for its voracious economy.
In fact, a big reason why India is implementing this project with gusto is to remain in step with China. As a resource-hungry nation, India too is wooing Africa in a big way for the same reason. This includes showering the continent with gifts by way of brick and mortar socio-economic infrastructure.
Although mooted in 2004 by the former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Pan-African e-Network faced the usual red tape and delays -- which is so symptomatic of India- for close to four years until the final green signal came from India's Ministry of External Affairs in March 2008. However, within three months of receiving the "mobilization advance," Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), the government -owned telecommunication engineering company that is executing this project, has kicked off the first phase.
According to TCIL, the first Hub Earth Station started operation in Dakar (capital city of Senegal) on 31st July, which is a "major step because it marks the commencement of the project." This station is now connected to India data centre of TCIL which in turn is now in the process of hooking up 12 specialty hospitals and 7 universities in India with 5 universities and "at least" 5 hospitals in Africa.
While mooting this idea Kalam said that the objective is to bridge the digital divide in Africa and develop the continent's information and communication technologies by eventually connecting all the 53 countries. He also added that for India, which is funding this $135 million project completely, it is nothing but a part of "south-south cooperation.
The idea of "south-south cooperation" that started evolving around late 1990s is based on a simple realization that developing nations need not seek the help of developed nations in the rich north to find appropriate, low-cost and sustainable solutions to their problems. Instead, it makes sense to seek solutions in other developing countries, which may possess far more cost effective solutions. For instance, if Africa doesn't have the resource and knowledge to dig out its vast reserves coal or oil, it could go to India or China for help instead of going to say USA, from where the cost of importing the required expertise could be much higher.
However, even as India says that this project "continues the tradition of
India's close partnership with the countries of Africa in their developmental efforts aimed at the well being of their people," there is also a hope that the effort will bear fruit in the long run.
"We expect that in the long run this project will not only improve the cultural relationship between India and all African countries, but it will also help the growth of trade and commerce, and industry between India and Africa," said an official from the Ministry of External Affairs, requesting anonymity.
For India, it is indeed very important to cultivate better relationships with the resource-rich African nations. Like China, India's scorching economy (which is growing at about 8% a year and is considered as one of the fastest) too is hungry for everything starting from food to oil, and Africa could play a crucial role there.
But while China with its ambitious Africa strategy has been showering Africa with almost everything ( starting from building roads, to providing free food, clothes, medicine and the likes) in return for lucrative partnerships with its oil and mineral companies, India has been lagging far behind.
With the Pan-African e-Network project though, India may score a brownie point after all. Not only will this be Africa's biggest ICT project ever, but it will be funded totally by India, which will include setting it up on the African side as well.
The e-Network project entails linking 53 African nations (although about 30 countries have signed up so far and about 6 have been linked yet) by a Satellite and Fiber Optic Network that would provide communication and connectivity among the African nations and India.
The network is meant primarily for Tele-education, Tele-medicine, Internet, video-conferencing and VOIP services, but TCIL sources say if a country wants, the network could also be used for e-government and administrative functions.
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