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UbuntuNet Connect 2026: Shaping Digital Horizons

The European Union is proud to participate in UbuntuNet Connect 2026 in Lilongwe, held from 29-30 October,  under the theme “Shaping Digital Horizons.”


This year’s conference is especially significant as it marks 20 years of UbuntuNet Alliance and its outstanding contribution to advancing the digital transformation of research and education across Eastern and Southern Africa. Co-hosted by UbuntuNet Alliance and the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), the event highlights the power of partnership in building a more connected and innovative future.
 

Ebuntu Connect
© Malawi

 

Through the AfricaConnect4 programme, the EU supports the strengthening of digital connectivity and services pivotal for research and education collaboration, green innovation and women’s leadership in technology. Across Africa, many higher education institutions remain among the least digitally connected in the world. This digital gap affects the quality of teaching and learning and weakens research collaboration critical to solving global challenges.

Via AfricaConnect, the European Union has supported the connection of more than 3,000 institutions to high-speed internet and reached over 9 million students and researchers.

UbuntuNet Alliance has played a central role in these achievements in Eastern and Southern Africa by strengthening regional backbone connectivity, improving affordability and reliability, and promoting digital services and capacity-building programmes that directly benefit students, teachers and researchers. We also commend MAREN for its remarkable efforts to connect schools and higher education institutions across Malawi.

Beyond AfricaConnect, the EU is supporting Malawi’s digital transformation through other initiatives focused on digital governance, digital identity, digital skills, ICT regulation, and ICT infrastructure mapping for future connectivity investments. Together, these efforts are helping Malawi to lay the foundations for an inclusive digital economy.