The World Bank has approved additional financing of $11 million from the International Development Association (IDA)* to improve connectivity in Togo and develop the country’s digital economy.
The additional financing for the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP) will strengthen the contribution to major projects launched in Togo to expand geographical coverage of broadband networks and reduce the costs of communications services. It will also facilitate the construction of the carrier-neutral colocation data center (Carrier Hotel), which will serve as a regional hub for the purchase and resale of international bandwidth capacity on Togo’s wholesale broadband market.
“The COVID-19 crisis has shown that there is a heavy reliance on digital technology and a need for Togo to strengthen its digital infrastructure and enhance the resilience of its economy and services,” says Hawa Cissé Wagué, World Bank Resident Representative for Togo. “The development of the infrastructure provided for under this project will result in lower international connectivity costs, as well as support for Togo’s digital transformation agenda.”
The funds will also be used to finalize the “Togo Digital 2025” strategic plan and leverage the achievements of WARCIP in order to accelerate Togo’s digital transformation.
The WARCIP-Togo Project, funded to the tune of $30 million, is part of the second phase of the $300 million WARCIP Program, which seeks to bridge the connectivity gaps between 16 West African countries and the rest of the world.