Programme background

In collaboration with IDRC, AFRINIC has established the FIRE programme to further the development of the Internet and technical capacity building in Africa, in alignment with their mission to support Internet technology usage and development across the African continent.

The Fund for Internet Research and Education (FIRE programme) is a grants and awards program designed to encourage and support the development of solutions to information and communication needs in the African Region, emphasizing the role of the Internet in the social and economical development for the benefit of the African community. The FIRE programme is a proud member of the Seed Alliance, helping ideas to grow.

The FIRE programme is based on the experiences obtained during the design and implementation of similar programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (FRIDA, administered by LACNIC, 2003 – 2011) and Asia Pacific (ISIF Asia, administered by APNIC, 2008 - 2011) and the former IDRC R&D program on ICT4D (2001 – 2006). AFRINIC, APNIC, LACNIC and IDRC have been working together to establish a collaborative platform to support the efforts of the FIRE programme, FRIDA and ISIF Asia. The Seed Alliance supports innovation on Internet for development across the south, offering a space for all partners and sponsors to identify and build communities of practice, scale up relevant initiatives, provide better visibility for partners and projects, while promoting networking and mentoring.


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