The program, the World Bank said, will complement the submarine fiber cable projects being developed along the east coast of Africa, which will link the region into the global communication network.
The Rwandan government has received $24 million of the World Bank funds to develop a national capacity to provide broadband services. The funds, according to the World Bank, were approved under the International Development Agency, a concessional lending arm of the bank.
Rwanda is moving into realizing a knowledge-based economy, said David Kanamugir, director general of ICT at the office of the president.
"Rwanda applied for the funds from the World Bank in August this year," Kanamugir said. "The money will also improve the delivery of public and private services, particularly in rural areas."
The regional communication infrastructure program in Rwanda is expected to promote investment and competition among local licensed operators and ISPs (Internet service providers), which will be selected to implement the project activities through a competitive bidding process.
The World Bank has also released $4 million to Kenya to support online content generation for the government and private sector.
The financing is expected to increase the volume of international bandwidth in Eastern and Southern Africa in order to improve e-governance and increase the public's participation in the governance of their countries.
Last week, the World Bank said the volume of international bandwidth connected to Rwanda is expected to triple, and the price of bandwidth is expected to fall by 50 percent.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Michael Malakata
Quelle/Source: NetworkWorld, 10.10.2008
