West Africa is still battling to fully integrate into the digital age despite great advances in broadband connectivity in the continent in the past half a decade.
So says Phumzile Phike, the CEO at MTN Guinea Conakry. He made these comments at the 10th annual Connecting West Africa conference in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday.
“Africa has seen a more than proportional share of this growth, nevertheless there are some challenges that are still holding back West Africa’s full integration into the digital age,” Phike said.
“These include inadequate terrestrial backhaul links to exploit opportunities presented by the tremendous growth in submarine cable infrastructure and demand for data.”
But prospects for connecting West Africa were great, including delivering submarine cable access to coastal and landlocked states.
Additionally, these prospects include increasing Africa’s internet market and starting global joint ventures for expanding their footmark.
MTN is launching an IP/MPLS network to boost the firm’s “new vision” across its geographies and beyond.
This is in keeping with the firm’s strategy of delivering a new digital world to its clients.
“Last year marked the commercial launch of the West Africa Cable System (WACS) in Cape Town, South Africa. The submarine cable links South Africa with the United Kingdom along the west coast of Africa,” Phike said.
“MTN is the largest investor in WACS, with commitments in excess of US$100 million, comprising $90 million system capital contribution and additional capital investments towards the construction of cable landing facilities in Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.”
