WARCIP APL 1C - Benin

closed

The development objective of the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program are to contribute to increase the geographical reach of broadband networks and to reduce the costs of communications services in Benin. The project has three main components with the ultimate aim being to enhance Benin's economic integration. The first component of the project is supporting connectivity. This component will finance the cost of the Africa Coast to Europe Submarine Cable (ACE) membership and participation fee while the Government creates a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to own and manage the landing station. The second of the project is creating an enabling environment for connectivity. This component will focus on: 1) the transaction design and operating model for ownership and management of international, regional and national infrastructure; 2) development of open access principles to create an enabling environment for improved connectivity; and 3) institutional strengthening to Benin Telecoms (BTSA), to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as well as to the Ministry and the regulatory authority. The third component of the project is project implementation. This activity will provide support needed to strengthen the capacity of the Government to implement the connectivity project, including incremental cost for the e-Benin Project Implementation Unit (PIU) which will implement this project.