Technology is playing an important role in improving the lives of some of the poorest members of the population in Burkina Faso. Intelligent CIO explores some of these technologies \u2013 from improved digital infrastructure to Blockchain and innovative new farming tools\u00a0\u2013 which are helping to bridge the digital divide in the west African country.<\/p>\n
World Bank works to improve digital infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n A project to improve the digital infrastructure in Burkina Faso is continuing to make progress.<\/p>\n Back in April, the World Bank approved a US$20 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for Burkina Faso to expand the geographical coverage of broadband networks and reduce the costs of communication services in the country.<\/p>\n This credit complemented the US$19.4 million already allocated to the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Project (WARCIP) in 2011 that centred around improving international connectivity via a fibre optic network linking Ouagadougou to the Ghanaian border, as well as creating a public-private partnership to operate related telecommunications infrastructure.<\/p>\n This additional financing will further this plan and help strengthen regional integration through a connection with Benin.<\/p>\n \u201cWith these additional funds, officials in Burkina Faso will be able to strengthen digital infrastructures to improve international connectivity. This will help extend Internet coverage to the entire country while providing higher quality services to residents at a lower cost. This is an essential step for the development of the digital economy and e-government initiative, which has received support from the World Bank-financed e-Burkina Project,\u201d said\u00a0Charles Hurpy,\u00a0World Bank Task Team Leader.<\/p>\n \u201cThis additional WARCIP-Burkina Faso funding should help improve the quality of the internet network both domestically and between Burkina Faso and the rest of the world. We are also hopeful that these resources will help bring down regional and international connectivity costs,\u201d said\u00a0Cheick Kant\u00e9,\u00a0World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso.<\/p>\n The World Bank\u2019s International Development Association (IDA) helps the world\u2019s poorest countries. Established in 1960, it provides grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people\u2019s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world\u2019s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.<\/p>\n Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.5 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about US$18 billion over the last three years, with about 54% going to Africa.<\/p>\n Charles Hurpy<\/strong>,\u00a0World Bank Task Team Leader<\/strong>, spoke to Intelligent CIO to outline some of the biggest benefits of the project.<\/strong><\/p>\n What have been the implications of the World Bank\u2019s approval of a US$20 million IDA credit to improve connectivity?<\/strong><\/p>\n You are referring to an additional financing of an existing project. This original project has produced concrete outcomes (a fibre optic network to connect to Ghana, a virtual landing station etc).<\/p>\n The additional financing aims to scale-up these efforts, in order to reduce international connectivity prices and ultimately retail prices of Internet. The vision is one of country connected directly to all his neighbours and with a virtual landing station operated by a public-private partnership that guarantees open, non-discriminatory and transparent access to affordable international connectivity landing in the country.<\/p>\n Why is the expansion of geographical coverage of broadband networks so important for Burkina Faso?<\/strong><\/p>\n This is important to bring the benefits of internet (economic, social) to as many people as possible and mitigate the risks of a \u2018digital divide\u2019 within the population. Poor, remote and sparsely populated areas are typically poorly covered or not covered at all by private operators, and this type of project is needed to compensate for this gap. The bank\u2019s mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. We believe that increasing coverage of broadband networks contributes to these twin goals<\/p>\n Why is it important to strengthen regional integration through a connection with Benin?<\/strong><\/p>\n Regional integration improves communications, trade and services flows. This contributes to regional economic growth, improved resilience to crisis, exchanges of goods, services, capital, ideas, etc. A connection with Benin would complete the digital integration of Burkina Faso, since links already exist with all the other neighbours.<\/p>\n What are the main benefits of strengthening digital infrastructure in Burkina Faso and other similar nations?<\/strong><\/p>\n In a nutshell, digital infrastructure is the first building block, as this brings access to digital services. Without access, nothing happens. Then comes conducive policy and regulatory environment to foster competition and encourage private investment. This helps having affordable digital services. This project will have impacts on both. The next steps are developing services and increasing usages.<\/p>\n