(Ecofin Agency) - The Malian government seeks to strengthen the national telecom infrastructure as part of its digital transformation ambitions. The aim is to gradually include the 65% of the population who, according to DataReportal data, still lack access to the Internet.
The Malian government has initiated a project to extend the national fiber optic network. The contract was awarded to the Chinese company China International Telecommunication Construction Corporate for $117.3 million, as agreed at a cabinet meeting on January 3.
The expansion will cover areas such as Mopti, Koro, Tombouctou, Gao, Ansongo, and Labenzaga, with an estimated project duration of 24 months. This investment aligns with the Malian government's digital transformation agenda, seeking to create an ecosystem conducive to startup emergence, modernize administration, and foster sustainable economic prosperity. The government is currently working on developing a National Policy for the Development of the Digital Economy 2024-28.
Once completed, the project will not only enhance the quality and reduce the costs of internet services in the targeted areas but also extend the reach of these services to thousands of additional people.
According to DataReportal's statistics, Mali had 7.91 million internet users at the beginning of 2023, with an internet penetration rate of 34.5%. The number of mobile phone subscribers stood at 22.48 million, covering 98% of the population.
The African Development Bank has approved a $304 million loan to Botswana to support the southe...
BRVM and Africa50 signed a deal to create new infrastructure financing tools The plan inclu...
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliamentarians met in Lomé from May 6 to 9,...
Nigeria’s audit industry grew 65% in 2024, reaching 28.2 billion naira ($14.4 million). KPMG, EY,...
Africa’s digital economy is growing rapidly, and the demand for data storage, processing power, and ...
• Benin and Qatar discuss plans for a direct air route to boost trade and tourism• Potential partnership with Qatar Airways may lead to new carrier,...
• Nigeria sees a rise in cocoa-related investments as global prices remain high• New projects aim to boost production and build large-scale plantations• A...
• Ghana secures 450,000 barrels of light crude oil from Nigeria to stabilize power supply• Additional stocks of heavy fuel and diesel procured to sustain...
Africa should engage the U.S. through “flexible and constructive” trade negotiations, Adesina says in exclusive interview with CNN’s Amanpour As the...
Marojejy National Park, located in northeastern Madagascar, is one of the island’s most pristine and spectacular natural treasures. Nestled in the Sava...
Located about 3 km (1.8 miles) off the coast of Dakar, Senegal’s capital, Gorée Island is one of the most emblematic historical sites in West Africa....