Rwanda signs $24 million grant for broadband connectivity

By Afro1 News
Staff writer
May 19, 2009

afrol News, 19 May - The Rwandan government has received a $24 million grant from the World Bank to establish network that will provide broadband connectivity and access to low-cost international connectivity.

The project, Regional Communication Infrastructure Programme - Rwanda (RCIPRWA), which seeks to facilitate the country's connection to global networks through the undersea fiber optic cables, will be implemented and managed by the Rwanda Development Board in Charge of ICT (RBD-IT).

The Minister in the president's office in charge Science, Technology, Scientific Research and ICT, Professor Romain Murenzi said the funding will complement the government’s initiative to install a National Backbone fiber optic network. “This support will boost our ambitions to become a regional ICT hub," he said.

He said the project will bring high speed global connectivity to Rwanda, supporting the growth of business around ICT and more improved services to the people of Rwanda.

The RDB-IT Deputy CEO, Nkubito Bakuramutsa, said the establishment of the sound network will be the catalyst empowering the government's vision for Rwanda, which seeks to transform itself from an agriculture based economy to knowledge and information based economy.

He also said the connectivity will enhance cross-border communication traffic flows and will provide access to onward international connectivity through the submarine cable infrastructure under development along the Eastern Coastline," he told the media.

The project is also expected to enhance regional integration and harmonisation of sector regulation across the countries in the east Africa. It will also support both the public and private sectors by improving the telephony and digital traffic infrastructure.