By Kumba Leigh
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy of The Gambia has launched a $50 million digital transformation initiative, dubbed Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (DTFA/WARDIP) SOP-1.
The DTfA/WARDIP SOP-1 is a groundbreaking regional initiative funded by the International Development Association (IDA), with active participation from esteemed organisations such as the African Union, Smart Africa, ECOWAS, and four key countries, including The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania.
Smart Africa’s pivotal role in this project revolves around empowering policymakers and stakeholders across government agencies to shape policies aimed at expediting the realisation of a unified digital market in Africa.
In his launch statement, Ousman A. Bah, Gambia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said the initiative is designed to address critical challenges and unlock unprecedented opportunities in beneficiary countries’ digital landscape.
The regional project, he added, provides an opportunity for the much-needed support to the digitalisation journey of beneficiary countries; provision of the second submarine cable; research development and education network; operationalisation of the ICT agency; development of e-Government programmes, and project implementation of cyber security activities; entrepreneurship and innovation, among others.
The Minister explained that the digital programme has three components: Connectivity, market development and integration; data market development and integration; and the online market development and integration.
Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy of the Republic of Guinea, affirmed that the WARDIP programme will increase access and use of broadband, and related services in the programme’s beneficiary countries, thus creating tremendous prospects for connectivity within member states.
“From the beginning, the Republic of Guinea has shown keen interest through its political and executive authorities at the highest level to be among the first beneficiaries, and has made a commitment to the rapid, efficient and successful implementation of the programme,” she noted.
Lacina Kone, Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa, described the event as a significant milestone in boosting digital innovation and integration in the region. He said digital integration is essential in economic transformation within the region.
Moses Bayingana, senior ICT policy advisor for AU Commission, said the launch of the digital programme is timely for the region, noting that it is associated with a series of opportunities.
He assured that the African Union Commission will support beneficiary countries in the smooth implementation of the programme to enhance digital development in the region.
Rocio Sanchez Vigueras, Senior Digital Development Specialist for World Bank said: “Digital is no more for luxury, but a necessity for everyday lives. 70% of the region is not using the internet and even when people have the internet they cannot use it because it is expensive.”
