Digital Pipeline Africa (DPA) was incepted in 2010 through a partnership with Computers for Schools Kenya and Digital Pipeline UK - a Microsoft sponsored program that has provided more than 30,000 computers to schools and communities in 11 African countries. All the operations have been run from UK and therefore Digital Pipeline Africa whose headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya is the implementing partner for Africa countries.

DPA understands that throughout Africa, there is a tremendous need for computers as countless schools and community organizations cannot afford to buy these equipments due to their cost. Consequently, millions of people cannot reap the social and educational benefits that even the most basic computer can offer. Hence Digital Pipeline Africa was founded on the idea that new and refurbished PCs can deliver tremendous value for schools and the community who need affordable access to computer equipment.

Digital Pipeline Africa, not only provide computers but also ensures that for every computer supplied, another is collected and recycled responsibly at the end of its second life. This means that supplied computers are not ‘dumped’ in Africa, but are in fact recycled in an ethical manner.
We hope to improve the socio-economic productivity of individuals and their communities by enhancing skills, management and administration. This will help in wealth creation through the empowerment that enhances knowledge and access to information.

Problem

There is a growing need in the area of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in education, the use of ICTs in the context of information society hinges largely upon having a population that can use them, which implies that all will need to acquire the skills needed to use them. That is, they should be educated and computer-literate. However, this poses a great challenge in the context of developing countries. Even in the contexts of some developing countries where there has been remarkable growth in the IT industry, there are large pockets of population that are as yet untouched by the computers,the Internet and other modern ICTs thus Digital Pipeline Africa was incepted to provide Computers to Schools all Over Africa in an effort to bridge the digital divide.

Solution

Our Solution is 1. Acquisition of Computers from International Partners 2. Refurbishment of the Computers 3. Allocation of the Machines to Educational Institutions, and Organizations 4. Networking and Maintenance of the Machines 5. Training various users in IT Proficiency 6. Setting up e-waste Management Centers to safely dispose the machines and other electronic appliances in an environmental friendly manner once they reached their end of life.

Example

The core activities of the organisation include sourcing, refurbishing and deploying quality pre-owned and new computers in educational & training institutions, and in community information access & resource centres, providing comprehensive technical support, user training and maintenance to ensure optimum usage and productivity of the machines as well as training and management of electronic waste in a sustainable manner that safeguards both public health and the environment.

Marketplace

Our main Competitors are other ICT equipment providers who sell new ICT Equipment to Organizations and Schools. They have retail outlets and sell new ICT equipment. Digital Pipeline Africa operational model is unique since we differentiate with our competitors by offering Computers at a cheaper prices,making sure they are up to date with technology through maintenance, Training users on ICT proficiency and disposing off end of life computers in a safe, environmental friendly manner.