Central African Backbone - APL2

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The objective of the Second Adaptable Program Lending for Central African Backbone Project is to contribute to increase geographical reach and usage of regional broadband network services and reduce their prices in the territory of Sao Tome and Principe (STP). There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is enabling environment. This component provide technical assistance and capacity building for legal and regulatory reform, to develop public private partnership (PPP) arrangements for the infrastructure to be developed and to launch a second global telecommunications operator license to provide fixed and mobile services, environmental studies and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) support. The second component of the project is connectivity. This component will financing for STP's contribution (consortium fee) for participating, via a special purpose vehicle company, in the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) cable on an open access basis using Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), leveraging private sector investment, and associated investments such as the setup of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The third component of the project is project management. This component will consist of support to the establishment of an effective coordination, management and M&E system for the implementation of the project. This component will also support consultancy services (internal and external audits, communication expertise, etc.), equipment, office supplies, workshops and short-term training, small refurbishment works, and operating costs.