Africa’s broadband protocol moves closer

Cutting communication costs on the continent
Joy orlek
THE DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo last week added its signature to the African broadband protocol, bringing to 11 the number of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa that have committed to the project. A total of 23 countries are due to sign the New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) Information and Communication Technology protocol, a crucial mechanism to help the continent bridge the digital divide. The project involves the construction of a 9900 km long Eastern African Sub-Marine System (EASSy) cable from Mtunzini in South Africa to Sudan. This network would then have all participatory countries linked up among them before being linked to the rest of the world, thereby integrating Africa’s communication by harmonising ICT infrastructure initiatives, according to BuaNews. The initiative is expected to cut communication costs in the continent significantly. South Africa was among the early signatories and implementation of the protocol will go ahead as soon as a critical mass has been achieved. ICT is seen by Nepad as critical for accelerating economic growth and development, particularly in the context of achieving a common market and continental integration.