Malawi to receive €15m from EU/ITU Broadband Mapping Initiative
Malawi is set to benefit from a European Union and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) funded project, AfricaBBMaps, aimed at developing broadband mapping systems across the continent.
The revelation was made at the ongoing ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR), in Kampala, Uganda.
Valued at 15 million euros, the four-year project will benefit 10 other countries in sub-Saharan Africa including Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
According to Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) chairperson, Bridget Chibwana, the project will advance the current efforts to build significant broadband internet access.
“MACRA has just concluded a national telecommunications infrastructure audit to improve mobile network connectivity. Insights from this audit will inform the development of the national mapping system under the AfricaBBMaps project.” added Mrs Chibwana.
Ronald Tembo, the head of the Universal Service Fund – a digital inclusion arm of MACRA, commended the mapping systems saying they will bridge the existing gaps where connectivity is lacking across the country.
He said: “This will enable data driven decision and policy makers to come up with interventions that can help improve all the areas that are underserved.”
ITU is committed to connecting all of the world’s people ensuring that everyone regardless of age, gender, ability, location or financial means have available, accessible and affordable access to ICTs, a commitment that provides reassurance for the future of ICT in Malawi.
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