# raw positional params - if using SQLite.  for MySQL, use "%s" instead of "?"

q = "INSERT IGNORE INTO network_tbl (nid, name) VALUES "
binds = []
q += ', '.join(["(?, ?)" for nid in networks])
binds = zip([nid for nid in networks], [networks[nid]['n'] for nid in networks])
engine.execute(q, binds)

# alternatively, just use executemany style:

q = "INSERT IGNORE INTO network_tbl (nid, name) VALUES (?, ?)"
binds = [(nid, networks[nid]['n']) for nid in networks]
engine.execute(q, binds)