We are thrilled to announce the successful connection of the Zimbabwe Research & Education Network (ZIMREN) to the high-speed UbuntuNet Alliance backbone, a significant achievement made possible through the unwavering support of the European Union under the AfricaConnect project. ZIMREN, now operating at a capacity of 10GBPS, marks a milestone that is testament to the dedication of all partners involved, from the tireless efforts within ZIMREN to the strategic guidance and technical expertise provided by UbuntuNet Alliance, and the vital funding from the European Union through the AfricaConnect3 project.
The AfricaConnect project, co-funded by the European Union, is a transformative initiative designed to establish and enhance high-capacity internet networks dedicated to research and education across the African continent. Its mission is to ensure that African research and education institutions have access to the same world-class digital infrastructure enjoyed by their counterparts globally, fostering collaboration and innovation. Over its successive phases, AfricaConnect has made tremendous strides, significantly expanding network coverage, increasing bandwidth, and dramatically reducing connectivity costs for National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) like ZIMREN. These efforts have directly led to an explosion in data traffic and a substantial improvement in the quality of digital services available to countless researchers, academics, and students. More of which you can read here .
ZIMREN’s journey has been one of persistent vision and commitment to transforming Zimbabwe’s academic landscape. Since its establishment, ZIMREN has been working diligently to provide reliable and high-speed internet services to its member institutions. Connecting to the UbuntuNet Alliance backbone represents a profound leap forward in this mission, offering dedicated, high-capacity access to the regional and global research and education network community. This connection will unlock unprecedented opportunities for Zimbabwean researchers and students, enabling seamless collaboration, access to vast digital resources, and participation in international projects. Already, ZIMREN is poised to introduce eduroam, the secure worldwide roaming access service, further enhancing convenience and accessibility for its students and staff across participating institutions both locally and internationally.
“This connection is nothing short of a game-changer for research and education in Zimbabwe. It fundamentally transforms our capabilities, allowing our institutions to engage in cutting-edge research and provide world-class education with the connectivity they deserve. We are appreciative to the UbuntuNet Alliance for their support and technical guidance, and to the European Union through the AfricaConnect3 project for making this vital infrastructure a reality. This marks a new chapter of innovation and collaboration for Zimbabwe.” – Mrs Miriam Chahuruva, CEO of ZIMREN.
The successful setup of this connection involved extensive collaborative effort, planning, and dedicated technical expertise from the UbuntuNet Alliance team. From network design and equipment provisioning to configuring the necessary interfaces and rigorously testing the link, our engineers worked closely with ZIMREN to ensure a robust and seamless integration. This commitment reflects UbuntuNet Alliance’s core mission to deliver reliable and high-performance connectivity to its member NRENs.
“Witnessing ZIMREN light up on our backbone is incredibly rewarding. This achievement underscores our shared commitment to expanding access to vital digital infrastructure across the region and enabling a truly interconnected African research and education community.” – Joe Kimaili, Technical Manager for UbuntuNet Alliance.
UbuntuNet Alliance continues to play a pivotal role in democratizing access to research and education resources across Eastern and Southern Africa. By operating the regional backbone and fostering collaboration among NRENs, the Alliance is not only boosting the contribution that Africa makes in global research but also actively driving the development of essential partnerships and the building of resilient infrastructure for research and education. Each new NREN connected to the UbuntuNet backbone strengthens the entire network, creating a more vibrant and collaborative digital ecosystem that empowers African nations to reach their full potential in the global knowledge economy.