TRIP REPORT
AfricaLink Kenya
September 27 to October 4, 1996

Jeffrey A. Cochrane
Revised November 14, 1996

The AfricaLink Advisor visited Kenya with the concurrence of REDSO/ESA for the following purposes:

(A) Meet with staff of ICIPE to plan their role as an information resource center within the integrated pest management network.

(B) Meet with AfricaLink liaison at ICRAF to plan future activities under their grant from Global Bureau, including their possible funding of a regional technical "help desk".

As part of AfricaLink's general program of support for USAID partners, meetings were also held with local service providers and persons interested in Kenya networking.

Persons Visited

USAID

• Dennis B. McCarthy, Chief, Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Joe Carvalho
• Brian d'Silva, GHAI
• Mary Muiruri, Automation Technician

Networking for the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Yun Long Xia was host for AfricaLink meetings at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). The visit was made at the request of USAID/PSGE Washington staff scientist Walter Knausenberger. The ultimate objective is an ICIPE playing an active and vital role as a source of information for an international network of scientists working in agriculture and related fields. The immediate objective was to assess the status of ICIPE's electronic information systems, and to consider with ICIPE staff possible strategies for improving those systems.

Three key areas were addressed:

1. Communications with partners
2. Serving ICIPE data to the world
3. Serving the world's data to ICIPE

It was generally agreed in meetings that there are sufficient hardware and software resources atICIPE to address these areas, particularly given a recent $58,000 grant from USAID specifically for that purpose. It was suggested that ICIPE contact the IRM/IDS group in Washington for advice on how best to allocate those funds. The approved grant budget includes funds for three computers, a CD-ROM recordable drive, external disk storage, a color scanner, Internet access, software, and regional travel. ICIPE may wish to consider an expenditure for the installation of a leased line to a local service provider for Internet access to the ICIPE LAN, perhaps as a higher priority than the purchase of additional computers or travel. This may require a microwave link since ICIPE is physically quite some distance from the nearest access to the Nairobi fiber-optic backbone. Local firms can provide suitable information and cost estimates.

Related to ICIPE's information systems objectives is the imperative to complete construction of ICIPE's internal LAN. Cabling is complete in the research wing. Software with suitable server and client licenses are required. A Windows NT server with Workgroups and MacIntosh clients is under consideration, requiring an expenditure for software, by Dr. Xia's estimate, of perhaps $5000 -- local firms can be contacted for specific estimates. A fully functional local area network would allow staff to operate on an IntraNet to develop information offerings for the public on the InterNet, as well as enhance intrastaff communications and collaboration generally.

A visit was paid to the Information Systems Manager at ICRAF, Marcos van den Berg, who agreed to further discussions with ICIPE on how best to develop ICIPE's information systems, possibly with collaboration in some areas between ICIPE and ICRAF.

According to Dr. Xia, ICIPE presently lacks staff to implement an information systems program. Three positions are vacant pending funding:

1. A network administrator
2. A programmer
3. A graphic artist

Mr. van den Berg at ICRAF suggests that any of ICIPE's occasional programming needs can be contracted out. ICRAF uses the services of a firm called Acropolis, and has had good results. At ICRAF, graphic artist needs are filled by their in-house publications shop. ICIPE might integrate its own graphic artist needs for electronic information systems with those of its publications department.

Discussions centered around the possibility of providing a highly skilled technical consultant for six months, whose task would be to train ICIPE resident staff in the following areas:

1. Upgrade the skills of the computer technicians, particularly with respect to database design and html publishing

2. Train a senior computer services staff member

3. Help with the completion of the LAN

4. Assist staff in developing ICIPE's initial offering of electronic data to the public

The position of network administrator should be filled prior to the arrival of this technical consultant.

Persons Visited

ICIPE

• Yun Long Xia, Ecologist and Head of Computer Unit
• Mohammed D.M. Gathoga, Computer Technologist
• Murali Darisi, Computer Technologist
• Hans Herren, Director
• Bernhard L. Lohr, Entomologist
• William Overholt, Scientist

ICRAF

• Marco van den Berg, Information Systems Manager

AfricaLink/ICRAF Regional Networking for USAID Partners

USAID is associated with the ASARECA, IOC and CTA Integrated Information Programme for Agricultural and Rural Development in Eastern Africa. For some time, AfricaLink and ICRAF have worked in partnership to support electronic networking in the ASARECA countries. Discussions were held at ICRAF concerning these activities.

The status of AfricaLink networking in the region was reviewed:

1. In Ethiopia, ETA/Sprint intends to be the monopoly Internet carrier, though PADIS at the UNECA is functioning for the moment. ICRAF facilitated a special purchase of US Robotics 14,400bps modems from an international supplier at roughly US$180 per modem (delivered) because locally sourced modems were deemed of insufficient quality; a change in the regulatory environment may improve the availability of high-quality modems.

2. In Kenya, because of ICRAF's prior positive relationship with the Acropolis firm for database management and programming contracts, ICRAF is also using Acropolis in its capacity as agent for the Form-Net Internet services company for USAID partners in Kenya, except for those partners (primarily at KARI) who already have contracts with the ARCC Internet services firm.

3. For Rwanda, ICRAF is holding discussions with the InfoMail company in Kampala regarding local or regional dialup for Internet UUCP access for USAID partners. A sticking point is the high cost for local technicians in Rwanda to install software, as much as $300 a day. Negotiations continue.

4. ICRAF has a relationship with the Starcom firm in Kampala for Uganda Internet access. Starcom is under consideration as host for USAID partner network discussion lists. Kampala is a good location for this purpose since it is home to several important networks -- beans, PRAPACE, IITA, and of course ASARECA.

5. Zaire, Burundi, and Sudan are all problems. Contact will be initiated with Gianluca Bruni of WFP in Kampala to see if their HF radio technology might be put to good use with USAID partners.

6. Madagascar Internet access prices through RIO are expected to fall. Free service may be obtained through AUPELF.

7. Persons connected in Tanzania are noted in ICRAF's quarterly report. Follow-up support is required, not only for Tanzania but for all connected sites.

Follow-up technical support and assistance with information management skills to take good advantage of electronic networking access is imperative. ICRAF/AfricaLink has agreed to engage a person 25% time in the region to staff an AfricaLink Help Desk. Duties include:

1. Management of online discussion conferences

2. Processing of routine technical queries from USAID partners

3. Workshop design and implementation

4. Training and reference materials development

This person will report directly to the ICRAF/AfricaLink manager in Nairobi, and will be funded from the AfricaLink grant to ICRAF. A candidate for the Help Desk position has been identified in Kampala. ICRAF will approach this person directly.

Sustainability of networking access is a concern. ICRAF/AfricaLink will initiate a process to assure that all USAID partners are given copies of their bills paid by ICRAF so that they can begin the process of securing their own core funds in preparation for the day, one year from service initiation, when ICRAF/AfricaLink subsidies will be eliminated.

ASARECA headquarters in Entebbe is of particular concern in the region, given ASARECA's leadership in the regional information project. USAID (Jeff Hill, M. Moussie, Dennis McCarthy) has requested that ICRAF consider a special grant to ASARECA for the purchase of equipment to enable them to access the Internet via high-speed radio.

ICRAF maintains a database of networks and network member sites assisted or targeted for future assistance under the ICRAF/AfricaLink initiative. This database is joined with similar databases in Southern and Western Africa, and is available on diskette or online at africalink, also accessible via the AfricaLink home page by following links to "Partner Networks" and the "AfricaLink Registry". Discussions were held with the ICRAF database programmer, Gregory Agola, to assure an appropriate system is in place for regularly updating this database.

Information about the AfricaLink Registry was provided to a number of Internet service providers in Nairobi and Kampala. All were encouraged to contact ICRAF or the particular USAID partners should they wish to offer services.

At ICRAF, a discussion was held with Marcos van den Berg about ways ISNAR and ICRAF might collaborate more closely with AfricaLink. As an example, if AfricaLink has four targets at NARO in Entebbe, and ISNAR is planning to install a LAN there, the money might be pooled for an integrated solution that links an enterprise-level Internet account to the LAN. By making the AfricaLink Registry available online, ISNAR and ICRAF may be able to identify such possibilities for the future.

Persons Visited

ICRAF

• Michael Hailu, Head, Information Program
• Gregory Agola, database programmer
• Marco van den Berg, Information Systems Manager

Kenya Networking

A local member of the East Africa Internet Association kindly arranged appointments with a number of Internet service providers in Nairobi, as well as with members of the Association itself. Information was also gathered from other sources.

A common theme expressed by almost all the service providers was a need to liberalize further the telecommunications market in Kenya. In particular, all would like to have the opportunity to employ VSAT satellite services without passing through the national telecoms authority, KPTC. One service provider suggested that the telecommunications regulatory body must be completely separated from the KPTC, particularly with respect to arenas in which KPTC is a service provider.

Another common theme was the need for greatly increased investments in local human capital in the telecommunications sector. Demand for highly skilled technicians and systems administrators reportedly outstrips supply.

Smaller service providers focused on somewhat different issues. Of concern is the US$5000 license fee now being charged by KPTC to all service providers. The smaller providers suggest this seems designed to concentrate the industry in the hands of large corporate organizations with international backing, eliminating smaller firms. Elimination of the fees or a graduated fee schedule was urged. They argue that it is only the smaller service providers that can effectively deliver services to rural and other neglected populations.

Discussions with many service providers and several members of the East Africa Internet Association focused on a local "hub". A consortium of service providers would jointly operate the hub with an international link to the Internet. The idea is of interest particularly to smallerproviders that cannot individually afford an international leased line or the KPTC license fees. Some argue that the smaller providers will be forced out of the market unless they are able to offer full-Internet services to at least some of their customers.

At least one of the larger commercial operators sees this as competition for a limited customer base, and objects to any effort by donors to fund a hub. One large service provider intends to create a hub with leased lines for users as well as resellers of Internet services. While the hub concept seems to make good economic sense, attempts to secure agreement for participation by all the service providers in Nairobi has as yet been unsuccessful.

A subset of service providers (about six in all) has expressed interest, however, and is exploring ways to obtain startup capital. A more serious stumbling block is the recurring cost of hub operations, and each member will have to consider whether anticipated volume of usage by their clients will be sufficient to cover this cost. The total required, according to one EAIA member, is about US $48,500, plus about $21,000 per month for the hub, and $1,100 for each service provider's connection to the hub. Divided six ways, this amounts to an initial capital investment of about $8,100 per provider, plus $4,600 per month. It might be possible to organize the hub as a joint venture, paying only one $5000 licence fee rather than six separate ones.

In discussions with all service providers, it was stressed that USAID has a policy that precludes activities that would unfairly affect private sector providers of services. USAID can, however, channel resources to its partners who require Internet services, and who have an interest in a vibrant telecommunications market with strong competition. One reason for publishing the AfricaLink Registry is to assure that even small providers can be well informed about the availability of USAID support of Internet access for its partners.

Persons Contacted

Internet Service Providers

• Shem J. Ochuodho, Director, African Regional Centre for Computing (ARCC), shem@arcc.or.ke
• Chris Lundh, Managing Director, Africa Online, clundh@users.AfricaOnline.co.ke
• Rob Sinclair, Co-Executive Director, Environment Liaison Centre International, rsinclair@elci.sasa.unon.org
• Benedicte Penda Marcilly, Environment Liaison Centre International, pmarcilly@elci.sasa.unon.org
• Max Trutenau, Computer Consultant, Negra Comm Enterprises, 250359
• Crispin Sikuku, Sysop, ThornTree, Crispin.Sikuku@tt.gn.apc.orgv
• John Kris Atchley, USA Mission to UNEP (retired), atchley@tt.sasa.unep.no
• Ronald W. Nunn, Managing Director, Omega Micro Systems and ThornTree, rnunn@tt.sasa.unon.org
• Yazim Nanji, Managing Director, Form-Net Africa, sales@form-net.com
• Dr. Fred Bukachi (MD), Director of Healthnet Kenya, Healthnet Regional Coordinator, and interim treasurer of the East African Internet Association, fbukachi@ken.healthnet.org.

East Africa Internet Association

• Ben Parker, Interim President, East Africa Internet Association, ben@dha.unon.org
• Dr. Fred Bukachi (MD), Director of Healthnet Kenya, Healthnet Regional Coordinator, and interim treasurer of the East African Internet Association, fbukachi@ken.healthnet.org.
• Suzanne Drouilh, member, East Africa Internet Association, suzanne.drouilh@tt.sasa.unon.org