(Ecofin Agency) - The government of Mali has signed a contract with Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd for the construction of a national broadband network. The works estimated at FCfa 35,213,172,169 should be completed within 15 months and are entirely financed by Eximbank China. The market awarded to Huawei is part of the “Broadband project for Mali”, on the supply to Mali of an optic fibre network over 1,300 kilometres long and the associated applications.

Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd will indeed have to roll out the optic fibre along the main highways: Bamako-Kourémalé; Mopti-Douentza-Gao and Markala-Niono-Léré-Niamfunké-Goundam-Tombouctou. The Chinese equipment manufacturer would also set up a data centre in Bamako, integrate into it the applications based on transmission through optic fibre; modernise the government network communication; set up a videoconference system within the Administration; roll out a security risks and road traffic video surveillance system; install equipment and furnish data monitoring rooms.

Currently, the decree on the approval of the allocation of the national broadband contract to Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd is in preparation. The Cabinet meeting held on 14 October 2015 at the Koulouba Palace, under the chairmanship of the president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, adopted the decision based on the minister of Economy and Finance’s report.