Indo Pan African Partnership Grows

The Indian Government has announced a 50 million dollar assistance to connect 53 African countries through satellite and fibre optics network as part of its “Focus Africa” policy implementation programme. 

India’ President APJ Abdul Kalam said in an address to the Pan African parliament session of the African Union that in honour of Indo Pan African partnership, “our government has decided to provide seamless and integrated satellite fibre optics and wireless network connecting 53 African countries for tele-education, tele-medicine and e-services.” 

The planned network would connect five universities, 53 learning centres, ten specialist hospitals and 53 patient-end locations in rural areas. The $50 million assistance would also involve the installation, initial opening and maintenance of the projects for three years. 

Though more details of the projects were not disclosed in the PAP address, Kalam said an Indo Pan African joint team would make comprehensive proposals and prepare a roadmap for speedy and smooth implementation of the project. www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za

22 September 2004