U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)’s Post

The PTA chairman reassures us with a playful comment that sharks 🦈 won’t be nibbling on our submarine cables as Pakistan welcomes seven new ones, including the much-anticipated "2 Africa" project. These cables promise to revolutionize connectivity and bridge the gap in our internet infrastructure. With global connectivity on the rise, there's still work to be done! Pakistan currently ranks 97th globally in internet speeds, and challenges like slow downloads persist. Senator Humayun Mohmand’s call to action reminds us that faster internet isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for growth and progress. 📶 As new submarine cables arrive, Pakistan has a unique chance to become a regional hub for digital connectivity. Here's hoping these advancements bring a brighter, faster, and more connected future for all. #DigitalPakistan #InternetRevolution #PTAUpdates #TechForAll #TrendingPakistan #SubmarineCables #GlobalConnectivity #PakistanIT

📢 Industry News 📢 Railways are essential for millions of Africans, including South Africans who rely on them for both short and long-distance travel. As Africa upgrades its railway networks, modern connectivity is crucial. In South Africa, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has partnered with Huawei to implement an advanced LTE-based communication system built on the Future Railway Mobile Communications System (FRMCS) architecture. This system enhances safety, efficiency, and communication, making Prasa a model for railway modernisation across Africa, while laying the groundwork for future high-speed railway developments on the continent. 📌 Read more https://lnkd.in/dsgsVdaH #uBumbanoOpCo #RailwayInnovation #SouthAfricanTransport #DigitalRailways #FRMCS #IndustryNews

#Guinea and #Gambia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a second subsea optical fiber cable to improve #connectivity. This initiative, funded by the The World Bank under the @West African Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), aims to enhance #digital infrastructure and reduce costs. The new cable will provide a backup to the existing ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) cable, which suffers from disruptions, ensuring more reliable high-speed internet services and supporting the digital transformation goals of both nations. The collaboration is expected to significantly reduce project-related expenses, with Guinea potentially cutting its costs by over 40%. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQpnz3HH

Sierra Leone and Guinea Strengthen Digital Partnership The Government of Sierra Leone, represented by Minister Salima Monorma Bah of the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation., and the Government of Guinea, represented by the Minister of Posts Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, held a connectivity handshake meeting at the MPTEN headquarters to discuss the technical requirements between the two governments. Key objectives of the meeting: Seamlessly link the terrestrial fibre networks of Sierra Leone and Guinea, facilitating cross-border communication and data transfer. Collaborate on building and enhancing shared infrastructure, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity that supports both countries' digital economies Launch joint initiatives aimed at boosting the digital sector in both countries, including e-government services, digital trade, and innovation. Enhance the resilience of each country’s national fibre network infrastructure by providing redundant routes that reduce the risk of service interruptions due to failure from the submarine cable. Promote mutual growth through the exchange of technical expertise and knowledge-sharing, ensuring both countries benefit from the best practices in fibre network management. With representation from key sector players like LeoneCom, Zoodlabs SL, and the MocTI communications department, the meeting is expected to accelerate the implementation of its objectives, reflecting a collaborative approach that includes both public and private sectors. #ministryofinformationandciviceducation #ministerofexternalaffairs #ministerofplanning #ministerodworks #MinisterOfForeignAffairs #MinisterofHomeAffairs #MinisterofInformation #ministerofenvironmentandclimatechange #ministerofdefence #MinisterOfFinance #ministerofenvironment #ECOWAS #UNDP #EPA #NDMA #WorldBank #chiefministerofsierraleone #anticorruptioncomission #embassyofthepeoplesrepublicofchina #euambassdor #PresidentBio #britishhighcommission #embassyofguinea https://lnkd.in/dWpaHWhe

If you're starting to explore what's coming in SE Asia, make sure you get to #ITW_Asia to be right in the middle of it. Whilst you're there make sure you track down the BW DIGITAL team and particularly listen in to Hamid Maani sharing his insights into the region. If you want a guaranteed time to talk to the team, let us know. #NDP1, Nongsa Special Economic Zone (SEZ), #NCC, #Hawaiki_Nui

🤝 Uniting for a Connected West Africa 🌍 Why build separately when we can grow together? By encouraging telecom operators to share infrastructure, WATRA is driving down costs, boosting efficiency, and extending broadband coverage to areas that need it most. This collaborative approach is key to creating a digitally inclusive West Africa where everyone can thrive. 💬 What are your thoughts on infrastructure sharing as a strategy for broadband expansion? Join the conversation! #WATRA #ConnectivityCollaboration #BroadbandInnovation #WestAfricaDigital #InfrastructureEfficiency

🚀 Exciting Update on our Australian-funded Telecommunications Towers project - the Pelau Tower in the Malaita Outer Islands is Almost Complete 🚀 We're thrilled to announce that the Pelau Tower, one of the six Australian-funded telecommunications towers, is almost completed! This project is a significant step forward in improving connectivity across the Solomon Islands.    🏗️ Project Overview: • Funding: A collaboration between the Solomon Islands Government, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and Our Telekom, backed by AUD 7.7 million from the Australian Government. • Purpose: To close key communication gaps in border areas, enhance maritime security, and support remote communities by improving access to social, economic, health, and educational services.  • Technology: Ericsson’s advanced mobile communications equipment, NEC microwave links, and hybrid solar-generator power systems ensure reliable connectivity, even in off-grid locations.    🌐 Impact: The Pelau Tower, along with others in Vadede in Choiseul, Komaleai, Kariki & Nila in Shortland, and Kia in Isabel, will transform connectivity in the region, offering improved internet coverage and fostering greater social and economic opportunities. We are now at the final stretch, with all towers expected to come online by July 2024. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this vital infrastructure project to completion! Together with the Solomon Islands and Australian Governments, we're building a brighter, more connected future. 🌏📶 #OurTelekom #ConnectingSolomonIslands #KarikiTower #AustralianAid #Telecommunications #CommunityImpact

This news filtered through yesterday, the latest in the addition of subsea cable infrastructures by Google, this time connecting Africa to Australia, with a terrestrial extension to Mombasa in Kenya. Below are my quick remarks on this grand announcement: 1.      This is good news for Africa, the route to Australia may not necessarily be a high-traffic route for most providers, but it sure does add to the resiliency of subsea capacity network on the continent. The Europe to Africa route has had its challenges these few weeks both on the east side and on the west side, and now with a connection to Australia, we have another route to reach Asia, the US, and even Europe. 2.      The convergence between subsea and terrestrial connectivity is refreshing, I presented a paper recently where I highlighted the need for a terrestrial-subsea convergence, and with the recent disturbances on the cables plying the eastern corridor, which greatly reduced subsea capacity between South Africa and Kenya, a terrestrial alternative makes good reading, and improves the resiliency of the Southeast Africa (SEA) connectivity network 3.      South Africa and Kenya remain the biggest attractions to subsea connections and connectivity investment in Africa. and because of these 2 countries, the Southeast region of Africa is without dispute the most fiberized region in Africa and continues to attract lots of investment. Activities of industry unicorns like Bayobab and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, continue to break new grounds and improve the connectivity landscape in the region. 4.      DRC holds the key to connecting east, south and west Africa. All players must be interested in the political and regulatory environment in the DRC 5.      Nigeria holds the key to unlocking similar investments into the western coast of the continent, we look forward to that great day soon.

Did you know that there are ten undersea cables connecting South Africa to the rest of the world? While wireless communication has improved drastically over the years, wired connectivity still provides greater capacity, better speeds, and lower latency. Ten undersea cables connect South Africa to the rest of the world and the continent, managed and funded by prominent local companies and large multinationals.