A secure and resilient digital transformation

Led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Upanzi leverages the strengths of the African Engineering and Technology (Afretec) network. Launched in September 2022, the Upanzi is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Upanzi is an Africa-based network of engineering research labs that is working towards a secure and resilient digital transformation on the continent. The network focuses on creating, testing, innovating, and assisting in implementing digital technologies at scale such as identity, payments, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data governance, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and influencing technology policy recommendations to support low- and middle-income countries.

Goals

  • Build, experiment with, and contribute back to existing open-source digital technologies for the public good, and demonstrate technological solutions that can provide beneficial, cost-effective and interoperable digital services for Africans
  • Implement secure, privacy-protecting, fair, resilient and trustworthy digital technologies
    Enable a more inclusive digital technology environment through the development of digital services that are well-suitable to resource-constrained individuals and environments
  • Empower users of digital technologies by building and promoting the development of human-centered digital solutions
  • Build a network of existing African academic institutions that will act as trusted players where decision makers get trustworthy guidance about different technological solutions

Project summaries

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