Digitally Connected and Resilient Samoa Project

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The proposed operation aims to support the Government of Samoa in establishing climate and disaster resilient national digital connectivity infrastructure and strengthening the institutional capacity for digital government and digital economy, including cybersecurity. The first component is designed to support the development of climate and disaster-resilient national digital connectivity infrastructure to maximize the benefits of digital connectivity for public institutions, businesses, and citizens of Samoa, and to introduce channels for national-level atmospheric hazards and other disasters early warning notification. The component will seek to leverage the infrastructure investments already made by service providers and other stakeholders (such as the Electric Power Corporation, Vodafone and Digicel), to catalyze investment for those parts of the digital connectivity value chain, where significant gaps persist and those that have the largest impact on costs and reliability of internet connectivity. The project will provide technical assistance and capacity building for the preparation, negotiation and implementation of one or more Public Private Partnership (PPP) transactions and associated regulatory reforms, including a feasibility study, consultation processes, validation of design, costs, and preparation of transaction documentation. Moreover, emphasis will be placed on directing investments toward green technologies (e.g., high-efficiency fiber optic cables and solar power) and cybersecurity of critical infrastructure. It will comprise three subcomponents managed by the MCIT. The second component will support the development and strengthening of the policy, legal and regulatory enabling environment and institutional arrangements needed to underpin the investments in digital government and the digital economy, including strengthening of GoS cybersecurity initiatives. Skill development initiatives will be prioritized as part of the transition to the digital economy, including support to increase participation in the digital economy on a gender informed basis. It will support for current telecommunications regulatory priorities, particularly to promote investment, technological innovation, and the long-term interests of users of digital infrastructure and services in Samoa. The third component will finance technical and operational assistance for Project management and implementation. It will finance the establishment of a Sector Coordination division within MCIT, which will be led by a Sector Coordinator supported by four project officers responsible for financial management, procurement, safeguards and M&E. The Sector Coordination division will be assisted by experts from the Centralized Technical Services Support Unit (CTSSU) under MOF.