Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to Africell Sierra Leone Limited (Africell) for a feasibility study to expand internet access to more than 13,500 households throughout Sierra Leone. The study will facilitate the expansion of Africell’s fiber backbone network nationwide and the complementary expansion of fixed broadband, including fiber or fixed wireless, networks in up to 32 cities and towns.
“USTDA is committed to expanding internet access across Africa in partnership with the private and public sectors,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “Projects like this also create opportunities for U.S. companies to engage in Africa’s dynamic and rapidly growing digital infrastructure market.”
USTDA’s study will evaluate the economic and technical viability of expanding Africell’s existing telecommunications network in Sierra Leone. The study will include an analysis of consumer demand for fixed broadband service considering topography, demography, and income, as well as a supply analysis of existing infrastructure such as available tower, backhaul, and backbone infrastructure provided by competitors or that may be complementary. It will also include a legal and regulatory analysis as well as a project implementation plan, among other tasks.
“This grant will accelerate the roll-out of reliable digital connectivity to thousands of households in Sierra Leone”, says Ziad Dalloul CEO and President of Africell Group, the only US-owned mobile network operator in Africa. “When expanding our network, our goal is always to deliver both social impact and commercial returns. The USTDA-funded feasibility study will help us achieve that by providing vital insights into the technical and economic requirements”.
USTDA’s study advances the U.S. government’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, to deliver game-changing projects to close the infrastructure gap in developing countries, as well as the Digital Transformation with Africa initiative, to expand digital access on the continent.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.