WASHINGTON, April 25, 2018 – The World Bank today approved a $20 million International Development Association (IDA)* credit for Burkina Faso to expand the geographical coverage of broadband networks and reduce the costs of communication services in the country.
This credit complements $19.4 million that have already been allocated to the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Project (WARCIP) in 2011 that centered around improving international connectivity via a fiber optic network linking Ouagadougou to the Ghanaian border, as well as creating a public-private partnership to operate related telecommunications infrastructure. This additional financing will further this plan and, in particular, strengthen regional integration through a connection with Benin.
“With these additional funds, officials in Burkina Faso will be able to strengthen digital infrastructures to improve international connectivity. This will help extend Internet coverage to the entire country while providing higher quality services to residents at a lower cost. This is an essential step for the development of the digital economy and e-government initiative, which has received support from the World Bank-financed e-Burkina Project,” said Charles Hurpy, World Bank Task Team Leader.
“This additional WARCIP-Burkina Faso funding should help improve the quality of the internet network both domestically and between Burkina Faso and the rest of the world. We are also hopeful that these resources will help bring down regional and international connectivity costs,” said Cheick Kanté, World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso.
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) helps the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.5 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 54 percent going to Africa.
