IGF 2011

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Comment by Paul Muchene on August 11, 2011 at 2:31pm

@DukshKumar

Hi!

Mobile use in Africa particularly in Kenya is very pervasive. Kenya has gone notches higher than other countries in the continent when it comes to mobile usage.

Mobile money transfer using M-pesa and other mobile money platform is pretty common. M-pesa single handedly opened up diverse opportunities from small scale farmers to blue chip companies. You can pay for goods and services using M-pesa. You can deposit and withdraw from you bank account using also M-pesa.  M-pesa has also created jobs that were inconceivable 4 years ago.

Nevertheless, mobile money has its pitfalls, as money scams and fraud are all too familiar with those who have used M-pesa or comparative money transfer services.

Back also to the Kenyan scenario on mobile phone usage, Internet growth rates have also been fueled by the extensive use of the mobile phone. The fall in both the cost of owning a handset and the also the fall in data rates has led to the booming concomitant increase in Internet connectivity.  This  itself has seen an explosion in the creation and development of localised mobile apps and web content to cater for this demand. 

This is a strength I would give credit to when it comes to the prevalence of mobile telephony. Nonetheless, the weaknesses and threats are quite numerous. The potential for mobile specific malware, and security vulnerabilities remains very real as the mobile phone becomes ubiquitous.

 

Comment by Paul Muchene on August 11, 2011 at 2:04pm

Hi Grace and hello everyone!

Well  the IGF is finally dawning on us. I will be attending the IGF. I plan to attend and participate in workshops touching on cloud computing, cyber security, Internet standards, mobile internet, Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and most definitely Internet governance and the youth.

One thing that could be highlighted in this group is what unresolved IGF issues  in Vilnus will see a comeback in Nairobi and what is being done to address them?

Concerning the youth and Internet Governance, the youth are the drivers behind the phenomenal growth of the Internet. From Google, to social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube active youth involvement in the development, utilisation and deployment of these technologies has created a seismic shift in the way people live and conduct their lives.

Yet when it comes to Internet Governance, a great number of youth are very ignoramus about mainly the 'Governance' aspect of the Internet. Very few in my humble opinion are involved in the technical and policy issues within the Internet ecosystem. Youth involvement in leadership and decision making in such organisations like ICANN, Regional Internet Registries, W3C, ITU is very piecemeal. Far more youth are quite frankly comfortable tweeting and face-booking and are completely oblivious of the wider ecosystem which fosters the vitality  (whether for good or bad) of social networks they constantly interact with.

I hope more youth can be sensitised on the issues which can have an impact on the Internet experience and be able to take up leadership roles in wider and more profound ecosystem.

That is my two cents on this subject. I would love to hear from you.

Comment by Duksh Kumar Koonjoobeeharry on August 10, 2011 at 8:50pm

Hello All

I`ll be attending the IGF as part of the AfriNIC team where we`ll be organising a workshop on 'SWOT analysis of the impact of Mobile Internet on Internet Governan...' I might need some help concerning certain matters like the possible Strenght, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats regarding mobile internet and its governance in Africa.

 

Any help or comments to improve the workshop content quality will be mostly appreciated.

Comment by SCHOMBE BAUDOUIN on July 19, 2011 at 6:36pm

thanks Grace because we have something to learn from each one.

Comment by Grace Mutung'u on July 19, 2011 at 5:40pm

yes we should share. we are having the Kenyan IGF later this Fri and we shall be sure to share all intereting stuff!!!

Comment by SCHOMBE BAUDOUIN on July 11, 2011 at 1:48pm

I will in IGF 2011 and very happy to meet all of you will be in Nairobi. Something in my mind.Would it not desirable that we consider even the informal exchange on sub regional IGF evolution? Just to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses!

Comment by Grace Mutung'u on July 9, 2011 at 7:48am

Welcome all!

Seems ike yesterday when we had the last IGF.....What have you been upto?

is anyone doing something for the IGF?

Cheers!

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