Fantsuam Foundation, FF, is one of the earliest promoters of ICT for Development at a time when official recognition of ICTs was still lacking in northern Nigeria. More specifically, FF installed the first satellite internet service for rural northern Nigeria, in 1997, when the Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) was the only available equipment for rural connectivity. Fantsuam Foundation was keen to ensure gender equity in access to ICT knowledge and skills, and its efforts earned it the first Hafkin Africa Prize (http://www.apc.org/english/hafkin in 2001. The CEO was also awarded First Woman ICT Entrepreneur in Nigeria, http://www.hightechwomen.org.ng in 2012.
Digital Literacy And Community Networks.
In 2005, FF was licensed to provide Cisco Networking Training and also provided a beginners’ class of a 5-week certificate course followed by a more detailed 12-week Diploma training which qualifies the candidates to undertake the IT Essentials Course. Between 2005 and 2018, the Fantsuam computer training services had trained over 5,000 students. Most of the business centers in Kafanchan are owned or managed by students who graduated from Fantsuam ZittNet Academy. ZittNet also offers ICT training and a Computer Based Test Centre for the pre-University JAMB examinations and hosts the Kafanchan Google Developers Group and Kafanchan Co-Working space.
Fantsuam established the first Community Wireless Network in northern Nigeria in May, 2006. Community Networks promote digital democracy in which ownership and control of local communication infrastructure resides in the community. Content is created by the people for the people.
Advocacy for access to TV White Space for affordable internet access for unserved and underserved rural communities.