(Ecofin Agency) - Benin instructed its digital economy and Finance ministers to negotiate the construction of the western loop of the national optical fiber network with Axian and Bouygues Energies & Services.

The telecom infrastructure which falls within the framework of phase 2 of projet de développement des infrastructures de télécommunications et des TIC (PDI2T), an IT and telecoms development project, will complement the existing optical fiber network.  

The western loop project plans for the construction of a 910 km long optical fiber linking Cotonou and Djougou, the construction of three metropolitan loops in Comè, Lokossa and Aplahoué. The project also plans for the continuation of the access network’s modernization via installation of about twenty multi-service access platforms for users and the connection of some digital terrestrial televisions in Gbéhoué, Lokossa, Abomey, Savalou, Bantè, Bassila, and Djougou to optical fiber.

During the ministerial council of November 14, 2018, the government reiterated its ambition to improve residents’ access to IT services, via the national optical fiber network it is gradually building, to transform the country into a regional digital services platform and stimulate growth.