iMENTORS goes live and is one step closer to becoming the most comprehensive crowdsourcing map on ICT infrastructures in Sub-Saharan Africa! Users are now able to register and create their profile on the platform and start sharing their knowledge and data directly on the map.

e-Infrastructures– electronic research infrastructures – are collections of ICT based resources and services used by the worldwide research and education community to conduct collaborative projects and generate, exchange and preserve knowledge.
iMENTORS strengthens the development of European policy in developing research infrastructures by providing donors and policy makers with a comprehensive tool to test hypotheses and understand trends in the field of e-infrastructures development assistance across Sub-Saharan African countries. It increases the value of data by providing more descriptive information about international e-infrastructure development and strengthens efforts to improve donors and recipients strategic planning and coordination. 
By identifying and mapping the majority of e-infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, the project provides valuable knowledge of what is currently on the ground which in itself represents the first step to more informed future choices and decision making on e- infrastructures deployment. Additionally, the software tool deployed assists policy-makers and donor agencies in utilizing the information more effectively, by filtering and associating it with other variables to identify on trends in aid flows, areas of interests, allowing them to make more informed decisions. 
The platform also pushes for stronger cooperation between the different e-infrastructures stakeholder groups, hence providing decisive support in their efforts to develop globally connected and interoperable e-infrastructures. 

iMENTORS_Press_Release_20130724-090631_1.docx