WASHINGTON, May 21, 2021– 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.
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing 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 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.6 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments are constantly on the rise and have averaged about $21 billion over the past three years, with about 61% going to Africa.
