Leland Initiative
| Leland Initiative | |
|---|---|
| Type of project | International Development Program |
| Location | Africa |
| Founder | United States Government |
| Country | United States |
| Launched | March, 1996 |
| Budget | $15 million |
| Status: Unknown | |
The Leland Initiative was a five-year $15 million US Government program of USAID to improve internet connectivity in Africa. It was named after Mickey Leland. Its implementation phase started in March 1996. The Leland Initiative works to support policy reforms to reduce barriers to open connectivity, providing affordable prices, based upon costs plus profit, conducive to broad expansion of the user base; delivery of Internet services by private sector providers; and,free and open access to information available through the Internet, inconformance with host country laws.[1]
It is criticised for forcing connectivity through incumbent telecoms, which hampered countries’ nascent efforts for Internet connectivity.[2]
References
- ^ "Leland Initiative - Africa | The Communication Initiative". global.comminit.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Singel, Ryan. "Unrepentant Hippie and World Networker Randy Bush Enters Net's Hall of Fame". Wired. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
External links
- USAID Leland Initiative page at the Wayback Machine (archived November 9, 2001)
- PanAfriL10n page on the Leland Initiative at the Wayback Machine (archived February 14, 2012)