On April 3, Ambassador Reddick and the Vice Rector of the University of Abdou Moumouni co-presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a cybercafé at the university campus. The U.S. Embassy partnered with the Muslim Student Association of Niger and Sheikh Boureima Abdou Daouda to build an internet café that would allow youth to access creditable information via a well-equipped and reliable internet café. The goal of project is to help students be more resilient against violent extremism, with the specific objectives of: Facilitating internet access for all students regardless of grade level, gender, or religion; promoting the research capacity of students on campus, regardless of field of study; generating revenue from internet usage fees which will secure the continued financing of the café; and linking students to the rest of the world through modern technology, including tablets, webcams, videoconferencing, etc.
The café is located on the university campus near the main university mosque used for Friday prayer, the Association’s headquarters, and dormitories. Classroom buildings will also be nearby. The U.S. Department of State provided $41,500 to fund the cybercafé. The space serves as a reminder of our commitment and dedication to the countering violent extremism and the youth of Niger.
