African Trade Consultants Network (ATCnet)

ATCnet's main focus is the building of the ICT infrastructure in Africa through the provision of affordable access to computers and the Internet, as well as local communications. Specifically, community networks, ISP gateways, Community Cyber Centres (CCCs), and support utilities are designed to suit the needs of particular communities and are expanded to meet the demand for certain products and services. For example, CCCs serve as training centres with links to local hospitals and schools, making them general multi-purpose access points for rural communities. Where the demand justifies it, a CCC or telecentre might have an auditorium with a 100- to 200-person seating capacity, a newsroom, a cyber café (with a minimum 10 workstations), a virtual library, notice boards, and billboards. It might publish its own newsletter (in the local language), and print material obtained from distance learning programmes, the Internet, or scholarly journals (especially medical or scientific journals). The CCCs also serve as data collection and analysis points. At these centres, seminars and workshops may be carried out in concert with training programmes to create jobs and facilitate education for rural women and men who might otherwise lack the resources to access existing programmes.

There is also a database of information to support fundraising and resource mobilisation, both in the official development assistance (ODA) area and among philanthropic donors. ATCnet helps with the logistics and management of the distribution of goods and materials that are in demand in Africa but in short supply, and are available in abundance as donations in the United States and other OECD countries. The main product lines are general merchandise, consumer products, fashion goods, building materials, tools and equipment, computers and networking, and motor cycles and bicycles. These products may be accessed at ATCnet site.

Another central focus of The ATCnet site is the bringing together of experience, information, and analysis to foster policy formulation in the areas of economic and social development.

Also part of this programme is an electronic database for the African Health and HIV-AIDS Crisis (HHA). This multi-country effort aims to bring knowledge about HIV/AIDS from the south to the north, as well as from other countries, to facilitate advocacy, policy making, and support. The database seeks monetary donations and other resources on behalf of organisations and individuals in Africa. Groups working with HIV/AIDS at the grassroots level are encouraged to register as members. All members receive relevant medical supplies and material. Member groups are advertised and promoted as on-the-ground solution seekers and resources.

Finally, the ATC Consulting Division provides market research and public relations services to businesses and governments on an international level. It focuses on sustainable development, the importance of human resources and training, the value of technology, and the importance of value-adding business processes. The ATCnet consulting team is drawn largely from the African professional community.

HIV/AIDS, Technology, Economic Development, Education, Women, Political Development.

A central issue that underlies ACTnet's intiatives is poverty in remote rural areas in Africa. Growing population, deteriorating weather conditions, pressure on the environment, weakening of traditional values, and an urban focus on investment have made it difficult for remote rural areas to ameliorate their poverty-related problems. More than 80% of Africans live in rural areas with limited telecommunications and transportation infrastructures. Although the Internet might garner socioeconomic progress and improved education, only 1% of the African population has access. The resulting slow transfer of information from remote areas impacts not only the socioeconomic health of these areas, but also the delivery of those government services and the reporting of problems by governmental agencies that have the potential to effect change in the situation.