ICT 'plays a critical role in Africa'

21 May 2010

Information communications technology (ICT) in a number of African countries may be enhanced by the introduction of a new fibre optic cable.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) part-financed the Main One submarine cable, a key part of which was laid in Ghana on May 19th.

Nigera, Morocco and Senegal are just some of the countries to have received sections of the cable, which it is hoped will create 1.92 Tbps of available bandwidth.

"There is growing evidence that ICTs play a critical role in social development, particularly in sectors such as health, education and agriculture and for addressing the Millennium Development Goals," the AfDB explained.

The United Nation's hopes to achieve these goals by 2015 and leaders are invited to a New York summit in September to reinforce the scheme's importance.

At a total cost of approximately $240 million (£166.6 million), Main One hopes to allow for thousands of newcomers to the internet, which should benefit the continent as a whole.

Category: ICT