The CATIA Programme

(2003 to 2006)

April 2003

David Woolnough - DFID

Claire Sibthorpe Atos KPMG
 What is CATIA?
The end result of a lot of listening
A practical response to the demands from Africa
and the G8 DOT Force recommendations
An attempt by donors to co-ordinate & work
together (UK, Sweden, Canada & US)
A partnership with the private sector (Cisco,
African ISPs, VSATs, etc.)
A $15 million, three year commitment to ICTs in
Africa with plenty of scope for growth!
 What will CATIA actually do?
CATIA Catalysing Access To ICTs in Africa
A package of 9 small-scale, yet strategic activities that
seek to improve access to the full range of ICTs in Africa,
from the Internet to community radio.
Support an African-led network of institutions active in building
capacity on ICT regulatory/policy issues;
Catalyse well-informed local debates on ICT policy reform;
Support a major new multi-partner programme aimed at increasing
access to radio across the continent;
Working in partnership with the private sector, it will also seek to cut
access costs through: supporting Internet Exchange Points;
appropriate use of low cost satellite and the development of low cost
kit & open source;
Increase Africa's influence in international ICT related decision making;
Catalyse a thriving exchange of local African content.
 CATIA - A regional African programme
Co-funded with DFID / Sida / Cida / IDRC / USAID & Cisco
(e.g. core funding, MoUs, Steve Song (CA) on CATIA Steering Panel, etc.)
International Competition => Consortium, led by Management Contractor

Low Cost Access Opportunities

VSAT / low cost kit / radio / IXPs

ICT Policy & Regulation

on telecoms and the internet / other media (radio)
subversive approach
participate in international decision making

Local African Content

radio / internet (OKN) / open source
Impact on
Poverty?

Independent
Evaluation
(in at start)
 Managing CATIA
Atos KPMG Consulting (AKC) is the Managing Consultant for CATIA and is
working with a strong consortium to deliver on CATIAs objectives.
We will be delivering across 6 of the CATIA components working towards:
Low cost satellite internet access widely available across Africa
Robust African internet backbone with exchange points at the core
and strong African ISP Associations
Well-informed, lively and inclusive policy debates across Africa,
shaping the local policy environment
An African led network of institutions, actively strengthening the
African expertise involved in setting ICT related policy
Increased capacity for African developing countries to participate in
international ICT decision making
Low cost computers and open source software being developed
and tailored to the African market
 Managing CATIA (cont.)
We will also be working together with and managing the other
3 CATIA components aimed at:

Positive policy environments for radio broadcasting

across Africa (led by Panos)
Stronger network of community radio and FM radio
stations across Africa, offering good pro-poor radio
programmes (led by Amarc)
A thriving African based Open Knowledge Network,
catalysing the creation and exchange of local content
(led by OneWorld)
 Consortium Approach
The Atos KPMG Consulting (AKC) Consortium comprises leading research
and policy institutions, ICT technology and development consultancies,
non governmental organisations, individual experts, and ICT networks.
The team includes:

Association for Progressive SchoolNet Africa

Communications (APC)
Summit Strategies
British Council
Telecommunications
Bridges.org Management Groups (TMG)
Direqlearn Technology Surveys
International (TSI)
KPMG Africa
Independent consultants
Miller Esselaar & Associates
 In Summary
We are working with DFID and others to help:
catalyse access to ICTs in Africa
address the need for ICTs to address social and
economic development issues

We will work across Africa providing effective

management and delivery of a set of components
aimed at a achieving these objectives.

We hope to work with many at this conference to help

build capacity across Africa to achieve sustainable
change.