Member states of the African Union in Eastern and Southern Africa, represented at the meeting included : Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In announcing their Johannesburg Declaration on the policy and regulatory framework for the ICT broadband infrastructure network the Ministers said they were inspired by :

NEPAD’s recognition that information and communication Technologies (ICTs) are tools that have opened new windows of opportunity for African countries to accelerate their economic growth and development ;

that the goals for a Common Market and an African Union can benefit immensely from the revolution in technology ;

that the use of ICTs can bring unprecedented comparative advantages to the African continent ;

that the need for the promotion and involvement of the private sector in meeting Africa’s development challenges is imperative.

The Ministers directed the NEPAD e-Africa Commission, in collaboration with regional economic communities, regional regulatory associations and the Joint Steering Committee to fast-track the process.

The meeting decided that the Ministers would ensure early approval by their Governments of the protocol on policy and the regulatory framework for the broadband infrastructure network.

Following on the decision to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle to own, build, operate and maintain the submarine portion of the network (EASSy) it was decided to establish the headquarters of the SPV in Rwanda.

The meeting agreed to a request by Mauritius that the submarine cable be extended to the island and a detailed feasibility study will now be carried out.

Under the auspices of the African Union the protocol on policy and the regulatory framework for the broadband infrastructure network will be signed by the governments in the region, in Kigali, Rwanda, during the third week of August 2006. The ratification process will start immediately.