Global connectivity for Africa : issues and options conference evaluation

The report summarizes the evaluation findings from the conference and evaluates the extent to which the conference achieved its primary objectives of facilitating public-private sector networking, partnership building, and frank discussions of the issues and options for global connectivity in Africa. The author of this report led the evaluation and was on-site throughout the conference. Several evaluation methods were used to gather data: direct observation, participant observation, individual interviews, and self-administered questionnaires given to participants and exhibitors. The evaluator also monitored the connectivity fair and discussed participant expectations of the conference before it commenced to assess whether the conference meet their goals. Additional assistance with the conference evaluation was obtained from graduate students of Addis Ababa University. The conference had several primary objectives: facilitating public-private sector networking, partnership building, and frank discussions of the issues and options for global information connectivity in Africa. The conference was organized through a joint effort between Economic Development Institute (EDI) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The Global Connectivity for Africa Conference (GCAC) was conducted in French and English. Simultaneous translation was provided for all sessions. Open space events were not simultaneously translated.