Mapping African NRENs to UN SDGs

Project Background

As the UN SDGs have become increasingly important metrics for decision-makers and policymakers to assess the success of organizations and initiatives, aligning activities and impact with these goals has proven beneficial. Recognizing this, the communications team for the AfricaConnect3 project decided to highlight how our beneficiary NRENs contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. This effort led to the creation of a policy paper that not only presents the case for NRENs but also serves as a tool for them to demonstrate their impact on the SDGs and align their future activities with these global goals.

My Role and Activities involved

The project required a thorough understanding of the UN SDGs, their indicators, and the methods used to measure them. Simultaneously, extensive research was conducted on the activities of African NRENs, mapping these efforts to the relevant SDGs. This resulted in a detailed Excel report that provided practical examples of how NRENs are contributing to the UN SDGs. The focus then shifted to developing articles on these activities and publishing them on our main website and various external platforms. All these efforts culminated in the development of a comprehensive policy paper. The project demanded the ability to clearly articulate the significance of the UN SDGs and demonstrate the value of aligning with them. Additionally, it was essential to build and maintain strong relationships with the NRENs to encourage their active participation and sharing of their activities.

Key Achievements

Policy Paper: How African NRENs contribute to the UN SDGs.
10 Impact stories developed on NREN impact on the UN SDGs
2 Presentations made at international conference including TNC2023 and UbuntuNet-Connect 2022