Africa Training
Initiative
Building the capacity required to operate research and education digital infrastructure across Africa — structured training for engineers, system administrators, and cybersecurity professionals.
Technical Capacity for
Digital Infrastructure
The Africa Training Initiative (ATI) is WACREN's flagship technical capacity development programme designed to strengthen the expertise required to operate research and education digital infrastructure across Africa.
As universities and research institutions increasingly rely on digital platforms for research collaboration, digital learning, and open science, the need for skilled engineers capable of deploying and operating complex infrastructure continues to grow.
ATI addresses this need by providing structured training programmes for engineers, system administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and infrastructure operators across the research and education community.
ATI complements the NREN Academy, which focuses on leadership, strategy, and sustainability for National Research and Education Networks.
- → Network engineers & operators
- → System administrators
- → Cybersecurity professionals
- → Infrastructure operators
Across the Research & Education
Ecosystem
WACREN capacity development supports the entire research and education ecosystem — from NREN leadership through technical infrastructure operators to the research and scholarly communities that rely on digital infrastructure for discovery, collaboration, and knowledge dissemination.
NREN leadership → technical operators → research & scholarly communities
The Africa Training Initiative develops the operational expertise required to support the infrastructure layers that enable digital research and education services across Africa.
ATI Training Modules
ATI training modules align with the operational layers of the research and education digital infrastructure stack.
Network Monitoring & Management
Network operationsMonitoring architectures, telemetry, troubleshooting
Campus Network Architecture
Africa Digital CampusScalable campus networks, wireless infrastructure
Routing & Interconnection
NREN connectivityBGP operations, routing resilience, IXPs
Cybersecurity Operations
TrustBroker AfricaIncident response, SOC operations, threat intelligence
Trust & Identity Infrastructure
eduID.africaeduroam, federation, RADIUS infrastructure
Research Infrastructure Operations
LIBSENSE · CLIMETRepositories, research data platforms
| Module | Focus | Supports |
|---|---|---|
| Network Monitoring & Management | Monitoring architectures, telemetry, troubleshooting | Network operations |
| Campus Network Architecture | Scalable campus networks, wireless infrastructure | Africa Digital Campus |
| Routing & Interconnection | BGP operations, routing resilience, IXPs | NREN connectivity |
| Cybersecurity Operations | Incident response, SOC operations, threat intelligence | TrustBroker Africa |
| Trust & Identity Infrastructure | eduroam, federation, RADIUS infrastructure | eduID.africa |
| Research Infrastructure Operations | Repositories, research data platforms | LIBSENSE · CLIMET |
Together these modules provide a structured pathway for engineers and infrastructure operators to develop the expertise required to support modern research and education environments.
A Collaborative Model Across Africa
ATI follows a collaborative model that brings together technical communities across Africa. Training participants and facilitators come from across the research and education ecosystem.
- → Network Operator Groups (NOGs)
- → NREN engineering teams
- → Campus network operators
- → Cybersecurity practitioners
- → DevOps engineers
- → Open science infrastructure specialists
Community Partnerships
Partnerships with communities such as NgNOG, GhNOG, and TrustBroker Africa ensure that ATI training remains practical and aligned with real operational challenges.
Launch of the
Renewed ATI Programme
The renewed ATI programme will begin with the Network Monitoring and Management (NMM) module during the WACREN 2026 Conference in Banjul, The Gambia.
This inaugural training will focus on operational monitoring of network infrastructure and will be delivered in collaboration with regional Network Operator Group communities.
The programme will also include a facilitator development component, aimed at expanding the pool of trainers and technical experts across the research and education networking community.
Join Our Community of Expert Facilitators
WACREN is building a community of expert facilitators who will contribute to delivering ATI training programmes across Africa.
- →Deliver technical workshops across the research and education community
- →Develop training materials aligned with real operational challenges
- →Mentor participants and build the next generation of infrastructure experts
- →Strengthen regional technical communities across Africa
Apply to Become an ATI Facilitator
Share your expertise, contribute to Africa's research and education infrastructure, and help train the next generation of network engineers and operators.
Apply Now →ATI Programme Framework
A detailed description of the ATI programme, including its historical development, training tracks, and operational framework, is available in the programme concept note.