Countries 
Africa
Nigeria
Background
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located in West Africa and is the most populous country on the continent with more than 80 million inhabitants. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. Nigeria faces the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy.
Zimbabwe
Uganda
Uganda was the first pilot country for the World Links program, with three schools initially connected to the Internet in July 1996. The program has since expanded to 32 schools, with 1920 teachers and over 30,000 students participating in the program. 26 World Links training workshops were held in the last year and thirteen telecollaborative projects are currently underway.
The Gambia
Background
The Gambia is a country in Western Africa of 1.4 million people. It is the smallest country on the African continent and is bordered to the north, east, and south by Senegal, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The River Gambia flows through the centre of the country and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. In 1965, The Gambia became independent from the British Empire. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides.
South Africa
The World Links for Development Program initiated activity in South Africa in March, 1997. World Links is working closely with the SchoolNet SouthAfrica organization and the Department of Education. 22 schools are currently involved in World Links, with 676 teachers receiving formal World Links training at 17 workshops in the past year. Nine telecollaborative projects are currently underway.
World Links in South Africa would like to thank the following organizations for their support: IDRC Acacia Initiative , Internet Service Providers Association, Government of Italy, Microsoft South Africa, NetDay, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, SchoolNet S.A., Soweto Technology Project, SUN, University of Pretoria.