The idea for the Acacia initiative emerged at the 1996 Conference on Information Society and Development (ISAD). ISAD, which took place in Midrand, South Africa from May 13-15, was the first event of its kind to be held in a developing country. It was thus closely associated from the outset with efforts by developing countries, particularly in Africa, to ensure that their voices would help shape the Global Information Society.

In March 1997 the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) approved the Acacia programme, which was conceived based on the goal of establishing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to empower poor African communities. Acacia’s overarching objectives include: