Implementation Plan
Target Countries: Ghana (pilot), Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, The Gambia
Core Architecture: Refurbished desktop PC → multiuser Linux → Ollama + opencode → recycled solar power → 100% secondhand hardware
Core Principle: No new gear. All equipment sourced from secondhand markets, e-waste refurbishers, and recycling streams.
Terminal Hardware — Refurbished Desktop
All computing hardware sourced from secondhand markets. Typical stock: Dell OptiPlex, HP Compaq, Lenovo ThinkCentre (2010–2018). $30–80 tested.
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Refurbished desktop PC (Core 2 Duo+) | $30–80 | Agbogbloshie/Alaba |
| Refurbished monitor (LCD or CRT) | $10–50 | Local secondhand |
| Keyboard + Mouse | $3–9 | Local secondhand |
| Cables, power strip | $5–15 | Local market |
| Terminal subtotal | $49–155 |
Abundant in e-waste, no import dependency, full x86 architecture, repairable with standard parts, community members already familiar. Zero new manufacturing.
Solar Power
Two system tiers: light-duty (terminal only) and community center (terminal + cooking + refrigeration).
Light-Duty Terminal (12V System)
For sites with computing only. Desktop PC + LCD (120–190W sustained). 450W solar, 260 recycled 18650 cells (4S65P).
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Battery pack (260 cells, 4S65P) | $130 | $260 |
| Solar panels (3×150W) | $60 | $150 |
| BMS, MPPT, inverter, converters | $100 | $165 |
| Cells, wire, fuses, enclosure | $50 | $105 |
| Solar subtotal (recurring) | $340 | $680 |
Community Center (24V System)
For sites with cooking, refrigeration, and full community services. Peak load: 2,350W (cooktop + microwave simultaneous).
| Device | Power (W) | Hours/Day | Daily Energy (Wh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric cooktop (hot plate) | 1,000 | 1 | 1,000 |
| Microwave oven | 1,200 | 1 | 1,200 |
| Refrigerator (150L, 24V DC) | 150 | 24 (50% duty) | 1,800 |
| Desktop PC + LCD | 120 | 7 | 840 |
| Starlink Mini | 60 | 7 | 420 |
| WiFi router + lighting + charging | ~80 | varies | ~468 |
| TOTAL | 5,728 |
| Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Battery pack (1,600 cells, 8S200P) | $742 | $1,253 |
| Solar array (6×300W panels + MPPT) | $560 | $930 |
| Inverter (3,500–5,000W) + distribution | $196 | $392 |
| Total (recurring) | $1,498 | $2,575 |
2,350W at 12V = 196A — impractical (requires 2/0 AWG cable). At 24V = 98A, manageable with proper cabling. All community center systems use 24V (8S) configuration.
Internet Connectivity
| Country | Primary | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Starlink | $50–70 |
| Nigeria | Starlink | $55–80 |
| Sierra Leone | Starlink | $45–65 |
| Liberia | Starlink | $45–70 |
| The Gambia | 4G LTE | $60–100 |
Total Cost Per Site
The community center system provides cooking, food preservation, lighting, and computing. The jump from light-duty to full-service is the difference between "AI terminal in a room" and "community center that transforms daily life."
Phased Deployment
Phase 0: Organization
- Register as non-profit in Ghana
- Apply for ISP licence
- Source and test refurbished desktops
- Recruit local technicians
Phase 1: Ghana Pilot
- Deploy 3–5 terminal sites in Accra
- Test solar+battery through harmattan season
- Begin curriculum pilot
Phase 2: Ghana Scale
- Scale to 20–50 sites
- Train local technicians
- Establish battery testing hub
Phase 3: Regional Expansion
- Deploy in Nigeria, Sierra Leone
- Apply for ISP licence in The Gambia
Phase 4: Full Coverage
- Deploy in Liberia and The Gambia
- 100+ terminals across 5 countries
CRT Display Deployment
CRT monitors/TVs are abundant in e-waste ($5–15 or free). Deploy deliberately in community-facing roles:
| Role | Description | Power Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Public display | Announcements, schedules, health info | 4 hrs/day |
| Group lesson | Teacher on CRT, students rotate to terminals | 2–3 hrs/day |
| Community cinema | Educational content, community programming | 3 hrs/evening, 2–3x/week |
| Electronics teaching aid | Disassembled CRT as specimen | N/A (not powered) |
Key Risks
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Internet outages | High | Ollama local model fallback |
| 18650 fire risk | Medium | BMS + cell fuses + fireproof enclosure + training |
| Desktop hardware failure | Medium | Spare parts pool; train local repair techs |
| CRT lead contamination | Low–Med | Never break glass; teach safe handling |
| Liberia 120V mismatch | Low | Source 120V desktops from US e-waste |