Rinchi
TechInAfrica – Liquid Telecom will soon implement the fiber broadband network in South Sudan—which will be the first in the country—and connect it to the “One Africa” broadband network. The project is recognized and supported by the President of South Sudan.
The phase one of the project estimates to be completed by the end of 2019. The network is expected to provide affordable and reliable internet access for nearly 13 million South Sudanese, thousands of businesses, government institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations.
The new network will link South Sudan to Liquid Telecom’s network across the region that covers the East African Community—a regional intergovernmental organization of six partner states consisting of the Republics of Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Uganda—totaling up to 300 million people to be connected.
The new infrastructure will not only connect a hundred millions of people across the Community, but also boost digital growth, innovation, and prosperity in the region, particularly in South Sudan. At the same time, it also supports the government’s efforts to improve economic growth.
“Liquid Telecom is immensely proud to bring fiber connectivity to South Sudan for the first time,” Said Strive Masiyiwa, the Executive Chairman of Econet Global and Liquid Telecom, as quoted from Africabusinesscommunities.com.
Masiyiwa went on, “This modern ICT infrastructure will help address the most pressing challenges within South Sudan, including the urgent need for peace and state building, job creation and improved livelihoods. South Sudan’s 13 million citizens will be connected to 300 million people across the East African Community. Connecting South Sudan to the ‘One Africa’ broadband network will also champion pan-Africa trade and help build Africa’s digital future.”
Commenting about the project, South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, said: “The implementation of this critical fiber infrastructure is a landmark step in the delivery of affordable communications access to the people of South Sudan, the business community, government, and civil society.
By connecting South Sudan to the global internet, this important infrastructure development will help improve social mobility, enable economic diversification and drive inclusive private sector-led growth and productive employment. The agreement is also ideally timed, coinciding with the signing of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”
Source: africabusinesscommunities.com
