Gambiaj.com – (BISSAU) – In a significant stride towards enhancing regional connectivity, the 4th Meeting of the Ministers of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)/Digital Economy and Finance/Planning from ECOWAS Member States involved in the Amilcar Cabral submarine telecoms cable project convened in Bissau.

This crucial gathering followed the Experts’ meeting held on June 12-13, 2024, which focused on financial mobilization and the establishment of Special Purpose Companies (SPCs) to execute the project.

The Amilcar Cabral submarine telecoms cable project, spanning six ECOWAS countries—Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone—aims to deploy a fibre-optic submarine cable. This initiative is set to provide redundant international connectivity, supplementing existing landing stations and enhancing international bandwidth for Internet users in these nations. The project promises to improve telecommunications quality, reliability, and accessibility, yielding significant socio-economic benefits.

The ECOWAS Commission will coordinate the project’s implementation by engaging with beneficiary countries, donors, and other stakeholders. A Ministerial Steering Committee and a Committee of Experts have been established to ensure the project’s smooth progression.

Key outcomes of the meeting included the adoption of a phased approach, initiating the project in countries where financial resources are already secured. Mechanisms for reimbursement by other participating nations were agreed upon under an ECOWAS-prepared agreement. Deadlines were set for establishing SPCs in each country and completing detailed implementation studies, led by Guinea and The Gambia. The next ministerial review is scheduled for October 2024 in Liberia.

In conclusion, the Ministers expressed gratitude to Guinea-Bissau for their warm hospitality and support, underscoring their commitment to advancing regional telecoms infrastructure through collaborative efforts.