In a remarkable milestone for Africa’s research and education community, WACREN recently launched the expansion of its high-speed, dedicated regional network — welcoming six new countries into its growing digital ecosystem.

Held in Accra, Ghana, the Launch of the WACREN Regional Network Expansion brought together governments, funders, telecom providers, NRENs, and members of academia from across the region. The celebration was not just about cables and connectivity, but about what happens when people and ideas are connected — greater collaboration, faster innovation, and a stronger foundation for Africa’s knowledge economy.

A network for a stronger research and education community

With this expansion, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, and Senegal have joined Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire on the WACREN backbone. This means twelve countries now enjoy affordable high-speed internet and advanced digital services purpose-built to support research, education, and scientific innovation.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Venant Palanga, CEO of WACREN, described the journey to connect the new countries as “daunting but deeply rewarding.” He emphasised that the new connections represent more than infrastructure—they embody a shared vision for Africa’s digital future.

“We will continue to leverage our infrastructure and technical expertise to help all NRENs make full use of the WACREN network to catalyse research and education in their countries,” he said.

Dr. Palanga also expressed gratitude to the European Commission, the World Bank (through WARDIP), and the governments of the newly connected countries for their vital role in achieving this milestone.

Event video | Event photos

Partnerships Driving Innovation

Representing the European Commission, Gisela Spreitzhofer, Team Leader for Governance and Security at the EU Delegation to Ghana, highlighted that strengthening research and education networks lies at the heart of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and Africa-Europe Investment Package.

She expressed confidence that the next phase of the AfricaConnect project would bring even more countries into the WACREN network, helping to catalyse scientific innovation and cross-border collaboration across the continent.

From the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Jamie Proctor, Head of West Africa Research and Innovation, urged stakeholders to focus on outcomes — the new opportunities the network unlocks.

“Let’s think about the impact,” he said. “Ground-breaking research collaborations, data-intensive projects, and scientific innovation — that’s where the real story of this network begins.”

 

Africa Must Not Miss the Moment

Africa Internet pioneer and former WACREN Board Chair, Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor, issued a stirring call to action to Africa’s research and education community.

“We need to bring supercomputing, quantum research, artificial intelligence, and advanced climate modelling into our communities,” he said. “These are no longer luxuries but essential tools for science, innovation, and development. Africa must not lose the moment or miss the opportunities.”

The launch of WACREN’s network expansion marks a new chapter for digital transformation in research and education across West and Central Africa. It’s a story of collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose – a collective effort to ensure that Africa’s researchers, educators, and innovators have the tools they need to thrive in a connected world.

As more countries come online, the vision grows clearer: a continent where knowledge flows freely, collaboration knows no borders, and innovation drives sustainable development.

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