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12 Countries Sign Protocol to Roll out NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network to Connect Africa | 21 February 2008 |

Tshwane, South Africa, 06 December 2006. Zambia signed the NEPAD ICT Broadband Infrastructure Network Protocolon 30 November 2006 in Lusaka, to become the twelfth country to do so. The network covers 23 countries in eastern and southern Africa.

In a ceremony held under the auspices of the African Union (AU), PeterDaka, Zambian Minister of Transport and Communications signed on behalfof his government while Dr Edmund Katiti signed on behalf of AU aswitness.

Thesigning of the protocol paves way for fast track implementation of theNetwork that among other things, involves the construction of a 9900 kmlong submarine (EASSy) cable from Mtunzini, South Africa to Port Sudanin Sudan. The network is scheduled to be operational in year 2008 andis estimated to cost USD 300 million.

The NEPAD e-AfricaCommission, tasked with developing ICT policies, strategies andprojects, and managing the development of the ICT sector in the NEPADcontext, has been coordinating the initiative.

Says DrHenry Chasia, of the NEPAD e-Africa Commission, “We now have a criticalmass of countries that have signed the protocol, and a contiguousterritory to enable us start the planning of the construction of theNEPAD Broadband ICT Network, including the EASSy cable. Other countriesthat have not signed can accede to the protocol in future.”

Itis envisaged that once implemented, the NEPAD ICT BroadbandInfrastructure Initiative will greatly reduce the costs oftelecommunications and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of howAfrica does business.

“The network will improve qualityand reduce costs of communication between countries, help to bridge thedigital divide and improve the quality of African lives. The jointdevelopment and operation of this network will also epitomize thepartnerships and collaboration among African countries”, noted Dr Chasia

Theinaugural signing of the NEPAD Broadband ICT infrastructure was held inKigali, Rwanda on 29 August 2006, where the first seven countriessigned the protocol; namely: Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, SouthAfrica, Tanzania and Uganda. Subsequently, Botswana, Zimbabwe,Mauritius, The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and now Zambia, havesigned the protocol.