Connecting Dzaleka
By 2027, connectivity in Dzaleka could look very different. Connecting Dzaleka is a proposed digital infrastructure initiative seeking partners, technology sponsors, and grant funding to bring high-speed Wi-Fi and zero-rated community services to Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
Proposed Connectivity Framework for 2027
Connecting Dzaleka is a planned proposal to fast-track better mobile, satellite, and broadband connectivity. This project aims to transform how residents study, work, and keep in touch with loved ones.
We are actively seeking grant funding and co-investment partnerships with telecommunications providers, humanitarian innovation funds, and technology sponsors to:
- create community-grade high-speed broadband zones
- give more residents and students access to Starlink satellite internet
- increase Wi-Fi coverage across commercial and educational sectors
- equip key locations with solar battery backups for 24/7 power resilience
- bring zero-rated public Wi-Fi access to essential community services
- improve access to emergency safety information and health desks.
Proposed Free Public Wi-Fi Candidate Sites
Free public Wi-Fi is essential for digital inclusion. It helps bridge the gap for residents who do not have affordable internet access. Under the 2027 proposal, we are evaluating initial candidate sites for co-funded Wi-Fi hotspot deployment:
Kawale 2 Market Spine
Central commercial district candidate site for local traders, enterprises, and visitors.
Dzaleka Youth Tech Hub
Educational hub candidate site supporting distance learning, coding, and digital skills.
Main Gate & Health Perimeter
Clinic administration and emergency hotline coordination desk candidate site.
Katubiza Community Center
Residential extension zone gathering space and community information point.
International Refugee Camp Benchmarks
Connecting Dzaleka draws on proven digital inclusion models successfully deployed across major refugee settlements globally:
Nakivale Refugee Settlement (Uganda)
Community Technology Access (CTA) & CAMPUS Hub
Demonstrated that zero-rating local services while offering low-cost micro-passes for general web access makes community Wi-Fi 100% self-sustaining after setup.
Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement (Uganda)
Solar Hello Hubs (Hello World & UNHCR)
Showed the necessity of solar battery backup stations and training refugee youth as Network Stewards to maintain outdoor Wi-Fi hardware locally.
Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya)
Giga Network (UNICEF & ITU)
Proved the high social impact of prioritizing zero-rated educational tools, maps, and civic portals for refugee students.
How we selected candidate places for projects
We selected candidate project locations by listening to community members and local enterprise leaders.
You told us where the connectivity gaps were, and where we could make the biggest difference. We looked at how we can support communities to work, study and keep in touch with loved ones, and how we can help local enterprises to grow and thrive.
The role of international partners and UNHCR
We have always and will continue to advocate for new and upgraded telecommunications infrastructure.
International partners, grant makers, and humanitarian agencies have a key role in ensuring that connectivity services are adequate. The Connecting Dzaleka proposal seeks co-investment to build community telecommunications infrastructure to fill coverage gaps.
Partner or Fund Connecting Dzaleka
We welcome inquiries from grant foundations, UNHCR Innovation Service, GSMA, technology sponsors, and telecommunications providers to co-fund or pilot the 2027 connectivity framework.