CSquared

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IFC together with Google Inc, Convergence Partners and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (“Mitsui”) start a partnership in CSquared, a broadband infrastructure company focused on building wholesale, carrier-neutral open-access fibre optic networks in Sub-Saharan Africa (the “Project”).  The Project will initially involve the development and expansion of the existing operations initiated by Google in Uganda, Ghana.  CSquared will then serve as a platform to expand into new markets with additional investments in the Sub-Saharan Africa region in the future. The Project targets to provide key sector players in these markets, such as mobile operators or internet service providers, with access to an essential shared communication infrastructure that would enable them to improve broadband connectivity as well as the quality of services and their affordability. CSquared has operations in Uganda, Ghana and Liberia and is considering new markets, including Togo. To support CSquared expansion into Togo, the Project is expected to be supported by the IDA19 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility (PSW BFF), and to support CSquared expansion in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia, the Project is expected to be supported by the IDA20 Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility.