Inveneo

You’re in Good Hands with Inveneo’s Local Partners

Since Inveneo first announced it at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2006, the goal of the Inveneo Certified ICT Partner (ICIP) program has been to build an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) delivery and support ecosystem in Africa to cost-effectively serve organizations operating in remote and rural communities. In the past few months, several ICIPs have initiated projects in rural Africa directly, handling the site surveys, network design, power design, product selection, ordering, and often challenging installations.

For rural ICT installations, especially projects that are highly sustainable, nothing is ever simple. However, with the right technologies and local experts, it is almost always possible to implement ICTs that meet expectations of the organizations we serve.

For example, Rwandan ICIP, Rock Global Consulting performed the site survey, multi-building school network design, equipment recommendations, customs clearance and installation (during construction) for the new Maranyundo School in Nyamata, Rwanda. This secondary school for promising young girls from all over the Bugasera District of Rwanda – one of the poorest regions in Rwanda – opened its doors in February of 2008.

In Tanzania, Kicheko Ltd., handled the site survey, network design, equipment recommendations, ordering and customs clearing for the Sisters of Notre Dame School in Njiro, Tanzania (outside of Arusha). Once the furniture is in place, Kicheko will begin installing 27 Inveneo computers, one printer, and an LCD projector on the WiFi network, all powered by a partial grid and battery back-up system so that it will operate continuously when the power is out. Once everything is in place, Kicheko will provide training for the faculty.

At the Queen Elizabeth National Park, in western Uganda, ICIP Linux Solutions set up a WiFi system and installed Inveneo low-power computers for the Conservation Through Public Health community telecentre. Linux Solutions handled every aspect of this solar-powered installation – from network design and VSAT connectivity to system installation in a wild-game park several hours drive from Linux Solutions’ offices in Kampala.

The Maendeleo Foundation worked with CLS Uganda, Ltd. (an Inveneo ICIP distributor and installer) to create a solar-powered computer lab at the Kisyoro Secondary School in Ruhiira, Uganda. To create this affordable and sustainable solar-powered computer lab, Eric Morrow of the Maendeleo Foundation bought Inveneo ultra-low-power computers in Uganda, from CLS and worked with CLS to design the network and install the computers. Taking advantage of CLS’ expertise in low-power computing installations, the Maendeleo Foundation was able to get the lab up and running quickly.

Through the support of Cisco Systems, AMD, and others, Inveneo has expanded the ICIP program to 23 partners in nine countries – Uganda, Rwanda, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Mali. Together we have supplied gear to or completed more than 50 projects in 12 African countries. These projects reach over 100 communities and more than 300,000 people directly or indirectly with life-changing ICTs.

When you work with an Inveneo Certified ICT Partner, you benefit from their thorough understanding of the ins and outs of rural site surveys, network design made complex by environments that are not typically suited to technology, and alternate-power installations for ICTs, as well as the needs and challenges of working in rural Africa. They know the terrain, best means of travel, power constraints, and Internet connectivity variances from district to district in each country. If you’re looking to deploy ICTs for a school computer lab, microfinance office, healthcare facilities or other types of applications, click here to find an ICIP near you.

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