I was searching on Google today for web 2.0 in Africa (what else) and came across the FAO Audio Online catalogue which happened to feature a picture of me listening attentively to a panel (!!) along with two interviews with Anriette Esterhuysen, APC Executive Director, and me. The interviews took place at the Web2fordev conference in Rome back in September 2007.

I hadn't come across this page before nor heard these interviews but I think they do capture some of the excitement Anriette and I shared with folks at the conference about Web 2.0. Anriette told a very informative story of Fantsuam in Kaduna, Nigeria and the importance of access (bandwidth!) to get information through the Internet. Fantsuam is part of APC and a longtime Kabissa member. I spend quite a bit of time explaining my motivations and passion for developing the Kabissa Online Community website for African civil society.

Blurbage and mp3 files to download and listen below.

Three excellent ICT initiatives from Africa are the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria; the Open Cafe based in Potchefstroom, South Africa and online; and the TrainersPod which is a three country project in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

[below is roughly what I hope to talk about this afternoon for the benefit of you netizens lurking out there and observing the web2fordev conference vicariously from the comfort of your computer monitors!]

Hello - I am Tobias Eigen from Kabissa, and I am here today to talk to you about Web 2.0 in African civil society.

Kabissa has found itself in the center of attention in the much hyped Web 2.0 movement and the opportunities it presents for African civil society. To name some highlights: