Internet Infrastructure in Africa: Status and Opportunities
There is a major information gap in Africa, where access to information is structurally disabled.This study was conducted taking the University of Dodoma in Tanzania as a case study. The causes for poor internet access were identified as: Lack of alignment between last-mile, middle-mile, and long-range network infrastructure; Tyranny of bad on-premises network design; Up to 15 network hops just to leave on-premises network architecture; Lack of best-practice templates and benchmarks for on-premises, middle-mile and national backbone network architecture in emerging and developing markets; and local operators charging exorbitant bandwidth prices. The US Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) definition of broadband is 25 Mbps per host. The World Bank defines broadband as 12 Mbps per hundred consumers.According to the United Nations, broadband is a basic human right and an absolute necessity for productivity and sustainable growth
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Internet, Infrastructure, Africa, Bandwidth, University
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(1) Muhammad Tehsin
Assistant Professor, Department of Defence % Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi
Works at Microsoft.
CPEC and Politics of Infrastructural Development
China-Pakistan's economic corridor provides a strategic link to Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) and its global outreach. The infrastructural connectivity between China and Pakistan is primarily focused on the trade route to get access in the markets of theMiddle East, Europe, and Africa. In the context of CPEC,what does infrastructure mean? What does it reflect/represent? And to whom is it? Are the major questions that have been explored in this paper.Infrastructural development encompasses a holistic social sphere that relates to physical and institutional structures. It also facilitates the flow of commodities, including capita land sources of production. After the 9/11 incident, Pakistan became a front line state against the war on terror; then, its internal and external factors compelled Pakistan towards Chinese-led infrastructural development to consolidate State power. This paper is an attempt to explore the politics of infrastructure development in the context of CPEC. The findings are based on empirical evidence with strong insights from a theoretical framework. Positivist, post positivist, and critical approaches have been used to explore the relationship between CPEC and the politics of infrastructural development.
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Infrastructure, CPEC, BRI, Pakistan, China
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(1) Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad
Assistant Professor, Centre for Policy Studies, COMSATS Institute of Information TechnologyIslamabad, Pakistan
01 Pages : 1-17
http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-II).01 10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-II).01 Published : Jun 2023Impact of Domestic Infrastructure upon Athlete's Interest, Motivation and Participation in Sport: A Case Study of Domestic Cricket Balochistan
Organized sports are popular around the globe as a way of entertainment for the spectators as well as a lucrative career for the athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen. However, the number of athletes in Pakistan is comparatively less. This study is carried out to establish the reasons of a smaller number of people opting for sports as career generally and cricket specially. Motivation is a force which prompts an individual to act accordingly for the achievement of set objectives. Participation in sports can be enhanced by encouraging young men and women. Motivation can be created through provision of basic facilities as well as considering other psychological factors. Impact of infrastructure, coaching facilities, remuneration and other psychological factor on the interest of cricketers is explored to suggest ways to create a conducive environment to enhance the participation of cricketers in Balochistan, Pakistan.
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Infrastructure, Coaching, Financial Incentive, Domestic Cricket, Selection Criteria
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(1) Muhammad Aslam
Lecturer Health and Physical Education, Government College of Physical Education, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan.
(2) Shahid Ali Khan
Director Physical Education, College Education Department, Government Degree Boys College, Korangi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
(3) Nusrah Asad
Principal, Khadija Girls College Korangi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Urban Walkability in a Megacity Context: An Examination of Johar Block-13, Karachi
This study examines the walkability perceptions of residents in Johar Block-13, Karachi, focusing on pedestrian satisfaction and infrastructure needs. Using surveys and field observations, the research identifies key concerns, including poor sidewalk maintenance, limited crossing accessibility, inadequate lighting, and safety issues, with 76% of respondents feeling unsafe while walking. Additionally, noise pollution, vehicle congestion, and the lack of pedestrian-friendly amenities detract from the overall walkability experience. Results indicate significant dissatisfaction with the current infrastructure, especially regarding accessibility for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled. The findings underscore a need for targeted improvements to foster a safer, more accessible environment, enhancing pedestrian activity and quality of life in Johar Block-13. The study's findings may help policymakers and urban planners design a city that can promote walking.
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Urban Walkability, Pedestrian Infrastructure, Accessibility, Safety Perception, Karachi
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(1) Muhammad Khurram Khan
Postgraduate Student, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, 76062, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
(2) Mir Aftab Hussain Talpur
Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
(3) Aqta Urf Aqsa
Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Planning, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
China's Economic Footprint: Blessing or Curse for Angola and Sudan?
This article explores the complexities of China's relations with African countries, especially Angola and Sudan. It explores the large investments that China has made in infrastructure, energy, and natural resource extraction, both the promise of economic growth and the attendant issues of sustainability, debt dependence, and indigenous capacity development. In Sudan, China's economic and military presence showcases the country's strategic interests in stabilizing the area but poses vital questions about governance and human rights. Similarly, Angola's reliance on Chinese loans for infrastructure development illustrates the merits of foreign investment, while the heavy debt burden threatens "debt-trap diplomacy." The research underlines the imperative for both countries to prioritize inclusive development, increase local labor employment, and ensure that investments underpin socio-economic resilience. Finally, the paper argues that mutual gains in Sino-African relations should manifest in tangible improvement of the local people, creating long-term development and economic self-reliance.
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China, Sudan, Angola, Sino-African Relations, Economic Growth, Investment, Infrastructure, Resource Extraction, Debt Dependency
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(1) Iman Fatima
BS Scholar, Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Imran Wakil
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Bilal Bin Liaqat
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.