The Global Research and Education Network (GREN) is the culmination of the operation of all RENs across the World.
More than 120 National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) operate in over 100 countries worldwide, forming a vital backbone for research, education, and innovation. These specialised networks are built to meet the advanced connectivity and digital service needs of universities, research institutions, and schools -needs that traditional commercial internet providers often cannot satisfy.
Each NREN functions within its national context, but together, they form a united global community. In Europe, NRENs are interlinked through GÉANT, one of the most advanced research networks in the world. In North America, Internet2 in the United States and CANARIE in Canada lead national efforts. Across Africa, the regional networks WACREN, UbuntuNet Alliance, and ASREN support and connect emerging and established NRENs in West, East, and North Africa, respectively.
Networks serving Asia and the Pacific region include Japan’s SINET, Korea’s KREONET, and China’s CERNET, all coordinated under the Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN). In Latin America, RedCLARA brings together NRENs from across the continent, while Australia and New Zealand are home to well-established networks such as AARNet and REANNZ.
These NRENs are not isolated. They collaborate across borders, forming a global fabric of trust and technology that supports groundbreaking research, enhances cybersecurity, facilitates education, and ensures developing countries are not left behind in the digital revolution. Whether enabling climate research in Africa, data-intensive science in Europe, or real-time collaboration between scientists across continents, NRENs are at the heart of the global knowledge economy.
WACREN’s operation and activities are part of a global agenda to facilitate the discovery, sharing and usage of knowledge to make the world a better place.
Credit: Canarie
Regional RENs like WACREN connect national RENs (NRENs) of individual countries within a geographic region. Many regional networks have funding from the user communities, governments or international bodies.
The NRENs provide service to institutions of higher learning and research organisations in a jurisdiction. They offer tailored and value laden services to their user institutions. The services may include connectivity, collaboration and cloud services.
All academic/education institutions across West and Central Africa are eligible to connect to WACREN and enjoy our value-laden network and specialised service; but they must do so through their national RENs.
