The World Bank has approved $266.5 million in IDA financing aimed at improving internet access in Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mauritania, and to promote a single digital market in West Africa.
A statement made available on Sunday said that the project would boost connectivity, promote a single digital market, increase job opportunities, and close gender gaps in digital skills, digital financial services, and entrepreneurship.
The regional initiative will also partner with the African Union, Smart Africa, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen institutional capacities for managing and promoting digital markets
“The Digital Transformation for Africa/West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP) will bridge the digital divide, making internet services in the region more affordable, promoting competition among service providers, and improving the underlying infrastructure to unlock new opportunities for employment, access to services for 1.3 million individuals, including 50% women, and people with disabilities,” the statement said.
Despite progress in mobile broadband coverage, West Africa still faces significant gaps in digital connectivity, access, and usage.
The adoption of mobile broadband services remains below 40%, primarily due to high retail prices acting as a barrier.
Infrastructure deficits, especially in international connectivity and resilient fiber optic backbone, remain major obstacles to meeting the growing demand for data and online services,” the statement said.
“DTfA/ WARDIP is a crucial step toward an interconnected, innovative, and inclusive future for West Africa. Beyond shaping a digital landscape, it aims to foster regional integration through collaboration and strategic investments,” said Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Africa and the Middle East. “It will break down barriers, cultivate a dynamic digital ecosystem, and empower local communities and businesses to thrive in the digital age.”
Most importantly, DTfA/WARDIP will support Smart Africa to build capacities for African policy and decision-makers in digital transformation, which is crucial for developing the Single Digital Market. It will also help to close gender gaps in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and digital financial services, ensuring that women have equal opportunities to benefit from the digital economy.
ICT service providers and businesses will get support to foster a regional digital market for expansion, while public sector entities, universities, and regulatory bodies will receive targeted support to enhance their digital development contributions.