$55bn internet boost for Africa

2007-11-01 14:33

Kigali - Africa will receive a $55bn investment to boost its goal of securing universal internet access by 2012, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said on Wednesday.

The commitments were made at the two-day "Connect Africa" summit that ended in the Rwandan capital on Tuesday, with a pledge to speed up technology on the continent, the ITU said in a statement.

The ITU and African Development Bank (AfDB) jointly vowed to co-operate in connecting all African capitals and major cities with a broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity to the rest of the world by 2012.

"By 2015, broadband and ICT (information and communication technology) services will be extended to all African villages," the statement said.

Six African heads of state and technology experts agreed that Africa, the world's most marginalised continent, must get universal internet access if its to develop.

The UN telecom group urged governments to harmonise the regulatory framework to stimulate cross-border integration in large-scale projects as well enacting laws that level the playing ground.

Open for business

"Africa is open for business," said Hamadoun Toure, the secretary general of ITU that organised the conference with support from international bodies including the African Union and the United Nations.

"We are looking for investment through win-win partnerships in a viable marketplace by an expanding ICT industry."

"This new investment in ICT infrastructure will lead to new jobs and overall economic growth," said Toure, explaining that getting connected is key to create the wealth needed to achieve the Millenium Development Goals by 2015.

Currently less than 4% of Africans have internet access whilst the rate of broadband penetration barely reaches 1%, according to the ITU.

According to the World Bank, the cost of connecting to the internet in Africa is the highest in the world, at some $250-300 per month.

Better inter-connectedness is seen as key to developing the continent's economic potential as nearly 70% of Africa's internet traffic travels through intermediary networks outside the continent, costing more for consumers, experts say.

- AFP