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Support to Fill Connectivity Gaps in the Gambia, Guinea and Burkina Faso
Friday, 24 June 2011 01:13
(Press Release) - The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank approved today three projects totaling US$92
million to boost ICT infrastructure and access to better services in three African countries. Burkina Faso, Guinea and The Gambia received grants of US$23 million, US$ 34 million and US$35 million respectively, as part of a US$300 million West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP) as endorsed by the Board on January 20, 2011. According to Boutheina Guermazi, one of the two Task Team Leaders with Mavis Ampah, “the three nations currently have some of the highest connectivity costs in the world, and are among the few countries in West Africa which are not connected to the global network of broadband optical fiber infrastructure”.
The Gambia and Guinea, as smaller coastal states are often seen as unattractive investment opportunities and consequently by-passed by private submarine cable consortia, he added. Burkina Faso, as a landlocked country, has always depended on the cooperation of its neighbors for international access, often at high and uncompetitive prices. The projects will help usher in major infrastructural revolution in these countries.
“Addressing connectivity gaps and deployment of broadband networks in The Gambia, Guinea and Burkina Faso will stimulate investment and economic growth in the three countries and will accelerate the realization of an integrated regional ICT market”, said Mavis Ampah.
The projects’ development objectives are to contribute to increasing the geographical reach of broadband networks and to reducing the costs of communications services in each of the territories of The Gambia, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
The projects are designed to encourage and support private sector investment using catalytic financing and PPP arrangements to minimize public investment.
The projects recognize that the creation of pro-competitive enabling environments is a prerequisite for affordable connectivity. The projects therefore focus on fostering an enabling environment in the sector by facilitating liberalization, open and non-discriminatory access to capacity, as well as building capacity of regulators to ensure that fair rules of competition apply in the sector, emphasized the Task Team Leaders.
“This is truly a unique opportunity to transform the lives of average citizens by providing better and affordable basic services through the use of ICT”, said Boutheina Guermazi.
Contacts:
In Washington: Francois Gouahinga, (202) 473-0696, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;
In Dakar and Banjul: Mademba Ndiaye (221) 33 8594100, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
In Ouagadougou: Lawrence Henri Mensah (226) 50 49 63 00
For more information on the project, please visit: www.worldbank.org/afr
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Comments
Gambia has already had its debts rescheduled....for the next 43 years.
As long as every butto is put to good work...then there is hope.
But if loans are waisted to feed non profit returning ventures...then
Bye Bye financial independance and freedom.
" You load 16 tons and what do you get?
another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't you call because I can't go...
I owe my soul to da company's "financial black" hole.
Words courtesy of Paul Robeson.
Yaya Jammeh,his family,his friends or his cronies, have to get a share in your business or forget it.That's how it goes in that country.
This IT project is good news in principle,but its success will depend on the implementation and management of the funds.
Lets hope that the project is successfully completed and beneficial to the country,because whatever happens,the loan has to be paid back by us and our children yet unborn.
The gov't needs to create a free market environment for citizens to venture into business like this. I know lot of Gambians doing great in IT and would love to contribute to the development of our Country but because of the hostile environment @ home they cannot help.
I was in South Africa last year for job related mission and was lucky to meet a fellow Gambian runing a very successful IT company. My first question to him was why not set up something like this @ home, but his answer was simply, the Gambia is not ready for change and i don't want to waste my money and time.
By the highest connectivity costs in the world and highest electricity cost in west sfrica. Where does all that money goes when power cuts is the norm of the day in Gambia.
The Gambia and Guinea, as smaller coastal states are often seen as unattractive investment opportunitie. WHY Gambia? Why give a Loan then Gambia. My bank would give me loan if customers are reluctant to come to my business.
Democratic dispensation is stronger, and the collective will of the people allied to free access to "idea's" and free thinking is encouraged.
The Kingdom ites and the dictator shites
are inevitably becoming Dr Abdoulie Saines..."endangered species"
More internet power to the people.!!!
It just a matter of time.
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