Regional Communications Infrastructure Program to make broadband networks accessible and affordable

WASHINGTON , September 30, 2008. The World Bank Board ofExecutive Directors today approved a US$24 million International Development Association (IDA) financing grant for the Regional Communication Infrastructure Program – Rwanda Project (RCIPRW). IDA is the concessional lending arm of the World Bank.

The Rwanda project is part of the World Bank’s $424 million Regional Communication Infrastructure Program which is designed to improve the regional communications infrastructure and increase the deployment of e-government in Southern and Eastern Africa. The program also complements the submarine fiber optic cable projects being developed along the East coast of Africa which will link the region into the global communications network.

" The availability of affordable broadband countrywide will play a critical role in realizing our transition to a service oriented, knowledge based economy, " said Mr. David Kanamugire, Director General of ICT at the Office of the President. “It will also improve the delivery of public and private services, particularly in rural areas.”

The RCIP Rwanda project will support these efforts in two ways. First, it will increase the availability of broadband to over 700 Rwandan institutions including schools, health centers and local government administrative centers. Second, it will increase the availability of international bandwidth to the country by ensuring that Rwanda is connected to the East coast submarine fiber-optic cables. The volume of international bandwidth connected to Rwanda is expected to rise more than three times and the price will fall by over 50 percent.

RCIP Rwanda will also promote investment and competition among local licensed operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), who will be selected to implement project activities through a competitive bidding process.

“The World Bank is pleased to support the government of Rwanda as it moves ahead on the development goals articulated in Vision 2020,” said Mark Williams, World Bank task manager for the RCIP Rwanda Project. “The project will extend access to broadband and reduce the price paid by customers, helping Rwanda in its transformation into a knowledge economy.”

For more information about World Bank’s activities in Rwanda visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/rwanda

For more information on the World Bank’s work in sub-Saharan Africa visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/afr