The Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MiNT) has completed preparations for the implementation of a 200 million U.S. dollar Ethiopian digital infrastructure project. It aims to increase Ethiopia’s competitiveness in the digital sector by increasing the inclusiveness and affordability of digital services and creating digital jobs.

The World Bank has given the green light and is expected to provide full funding for the project, and the Ministry has met the prerequisites required during the implementation period. Although the project was originally designed two years ago, the Ministry has been carrying out various reforms, including drafting a legal framework and stakeholder participation plan, in order to have a smooth implementation phase and ensure that the project’s goals are achieved.

This five-year project will be implemented across the country, including rural and urban centers, and is expected to have an overall positive impact on the country’s population by reducing costs and improving the reliability of digital access. In addition, the project is expected to digitize higher education by supporting the digitization of public services, thereby improving graduates’ preparation for the digital world, thereby increasing the efficiency of public service delivery.

The project plan is implemented in four phases

The first part of the project is expected to cost 40 million U.S. dollars and aims to strengthen the analog foundation of the digital economy, especially the decision-making and supervision of the telecommunications sector, and to develop digital entrepreneurship. The second component is expected to cost US$200 million and will invest substantial private sector investment to improve regional and domestic fiber optic connection infrastructure, connect public institutions and priority target groups to broadband Internet at affordable prices, and reduce the Internet The overall cost of the service.

The project document reads: "According to this component, the project will improve the coverage of rural broadband (3G/4G/5G), encourage private operators to develop cellular towers and provide mobile broadband coverage in areas where services are not currently provided, and Upgrade existing 2G services to 3G and above.

The third component requires US$50 million and aims to cultivate a healthy pipeline for Ethiopian digital entrepreneurs and lay the foundation for a high-growth digital industry. The final part of the project is expected to cost US$10 million and will be used for project management.

According to Abiot, once the final phase is completed, it may be implemented from the next fiscal year. However, since the World Bank has not yet paid all the funds, the ministry must wait until the Ethiopian government and the World Bank reach a consensus and initiate the project. Editor/Xu Shengpeng