The second meeting of IEEE Africa Council was held on Sunday 21st October 2018 at Belgrade, Serbia during 111th IEEE R8 Committee meeting. The meeting started at 14:30. the Roll Call was taken by Habib M. Kammoun. The Pro-tem Chair Gloria Chukwudebe in her opening remarks expressed happiness for the cooperation she has received from members of the Africa Council Committee, Section and Subsection Chairs as well as volunteers from various countries in Africa.

During her speech, she emphasized that the mission of IEEE Africa Council was to provide a centralized coordinating unit for IEEE activities in Africa, whereby African Sections/Sub-Sections can achieve more by working together. She also highlighted the following, as objectives of the Council:

  1. Further the aims and objectives of the IEEE.
  2. Coordinate the inter-Sectional activities of the constituent Sections and Subsections.
  3. Provide effective representation and support for the constituent Sections and Subsections.
  4. Promote IEEE activities in Africa.
  5. Assist with development of activities in Africa including developing new Sections, Subsections, Chapters and Affinity Groups.
  6. Provide for joint meetings of Sections, Subsections, conferences and symposia within the Council, coordinate student activities within the Council and assist Sections, Subsections, Chapters and Affinity Groups in the administration and documentation of activities within the Council.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the Habib M. Kammoun suggested that based on the varying size of the Sections; there is need for some Sections to mentor smaller Sections and subsections. He shared out responsibilities. Gloria said that there will be a need for the Council to come up with a Strategic plan for the Africa Council. Gloria commended Habib and Shaun, for working hard to ensure that the Africa Council is on vTools. She also expressed an appreciation to Raphael, for creating a website for Africa Council as he had promised.

While talking on how the Council can succeed, Gloria stated that the success of IEEE Africa Council depends on the Sections and Subsections. In line with this, the Council Committee will have to work very hard to ensure vitality of Africa Sections/Subsections, Chapters and Affinity groups. Also, she highlighted the need to increase the number of IEEE members, volunteers, Sections and Sub-Sections in Africa.

Gloria reported the following IEEE sections that have shown interest in collaborating with sections and sub-sections in Africa: Latvia, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia(East), Switzerland, Turkey, Poland, UAE and Portugal. She concluded her speech by encouraging the members to work for the growth and progress of IEEE Africa Council because the future of IEEE Africa Council looks bright but challenging.

The IEEE Region 8 Director, Margaretha Eriksson presented her address. She said she was glad that the IEEE Africa Council Bylaws was presented and approved by Region 8 Committee.  Additionally, a new subsection, Burkina Faso was also approved during Region 8 Meeting. Costas Stasopoulos delivered a goodwill message to the Council. The 2019 budget for the Council was presented by Shaun Kaplan. When the meeting ended, the members joined the other Region 8 Committee members to pay a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum.