| Approval Date | 15 Dec 2017 |
| Signature Date | 17 Jan 2018 |
| Planned Completion Date | 31 Jul 2023 |
| Last Disbursement Planned Date | 31 Jul 2023 |
| Sovereign / Non-Sovereign | Sovereign |
| Sector | Communications |
| DAC Sector Code | 22020 |
| Environmental Category | 2 |
| Commitment | U.A 13,216,000 |
| Status | Implementation |
The present project is relative to the Central African Republic (CAR) component of the Central Africa Fibre-Optic Backbone (CSB) Project. It consists to: (i) the laying of 1,050 km of fibre-optic cable on the interconnection roads with Cameroon and Congo as well as (ii) the establishment of a local urban loop comprising a national data centre (Datacentre) and a Digital Training Centre in Bangui. The project also provides for the establishment of an e-government platform as well as institutional support comprising, in particular : (i) feasibility studies for further phases of the project (ii) technical assistance to the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) ; (iii) support to educational establishments (Bangui University and Vocational High School) ; (iv) support for the establishment and operationalisation of a National ICT Agency (ANTIC) and (v) capacity building for environmental protection organisations (DGE and WWF). In addition to its regional focus, the project proposes to complete the missing links in the national fibre-optic network in CAR. The project will make it possible to cover the national fibre-optic network in this region as well as on the borders of CAR with Cameroon and Congo. It comprises four components, namely: A) fibre-optic infrastructure; B) ICT Applications and services; C) institutional support and capacity building; and D) project management
This project’s overall objective is to help diversify the economy of the Central African Republic. More specifically, it will lead to an increase in tax revenue and a reduction in the cost of economic and social transactions, digital opening access for rural areas coupled with regional integration through the establishment of fibre-optic infrastructure that will facilitate access to the neighbouring countries (Cameroon and Congo) and renewal of the social contract through the creation of job opportunities for young people in particular.
The project’s direct beneficiaries are all the country’s inhabitants and beyond, even in the entire sub-region. The population of the eastern regions that are the most affected by the socio-political crisis, will ultimately also be beneficiaries through the project’s knock-on effect. As regards ICT applications and beneficiaries, the potential beneficiaries are the entire CAR population through the use of the e-government platform (Internet gateway, on-line administrative services, etc.). It is also expected that at least 20,000 beneficiaries (including 8,000 women) will be introduced to the use of ICT tools per year. Finally, 20 students (including 12 girls) completing their Masters in ICT–related disciplines (telecommunications, electronics, IT and optics) at the University of Bangui could be awarded a Doctorate scholarship as part of ICT training of trainers. The country’s telecom operators will also benefit from the project’s achievements through facilitating the expansion of their services in all the localities served by fibre-optics as well as terrestrial fibre-optic outlets to neighbouring countries (Cameroon and Congo).
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Implementing
MINISTERE DE L'EQUIPEMENT ET DU DESENCLAVEMENT (MULT- RCA)
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Funding
Transition Support Facility
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Funding
African Development Fund
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| IATI identifier | 46002-P-CF-GB0-002 |
| Last Update | 25 Mar 2023 |
| Name | Samatar OMAR ELMI |
| s.omarelmi@afdb.org |
| Country | Central African Republic |
| Coordinates | Location Name |
|---|---|
| 5.45157 16.1272 | Baoro |
| 5.41797 16.9688 | Yaloke |
| 5.24147 17.6087 | Bossembele |
| 4.31211 15.88948 | Berberati |
| 4.36122 18.55496 | Bangui |
| 7 21 | Central African Republic |