Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

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The development objective of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project for Eastern and Southern Africa, Somalia, South Sudan is to promote the expansion of an integrated digital market across Eastern Africa by increasing cross-border broadband connectivity, data flows, and digital trade in the region. The project comprises of five components. The first component, connectivity market development and integration will bridge existing network coverage and access gaps through infrastructure financing and support for an enhanced enabling environment to develop the regional broadband connectivity market. It consists of following sub-components: (i) cross-border and national backbone network connectivity; (ii) last mile connectivity, including in borderland areas; and (iii) enabling legal, regulatory, and institutional information and communication technology (ICT) environment. The second component, data market development and integration seek to foster the development of a regional data market by enabling more affordable, secure, and seamless data management and sharing across borders. It consists of following sub-components: (i) cybersecurity frameworks, infrastructure, and capacity; and (ii) data exchange, governance, and protection. The third component, online market development and integration aims to build the regional online market by removing barriers to cross-border trade and payments, as well as investing in key enablers for expanded digital service delivery. It consists of following sub-components: (i) digital enablers for cross-border trade and service delivery; and (ii) research and education networks and training for digital skills. The fourth component, project management and implementation support will finance project management and implementation of project-associated activities. The fifth component, contingent emergency response component will allow for rapid reallocation of uncommitted national International Development Association (IDA) funds in the event of an eligible emergency declared in one of the participating countries.