ITU and EU Team Up to Map Africa’s Broadband Gaps

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission have launched a broadband mapping project to identify connectivity gaps in Africa.

  • The initiative, covering 11 countries, has a €15 million ($16.2 million) budget over four years.
  • While it aims to boost broadband access, it remains limited in scope, with no confirmation of future expansion.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has officially launched the implementation of its Africa-BB-Maps project, a broadband mapping initiative designed to bridge connectivity gaps in Africa. Developed in partnership with the European Commission, the project will help governments and policymakers pinpoint underserved areas and plan network expansion accordingly.

The ITU explained that Broadband mapping, combined with modern geographic information systems (GIS) and data-driven decision-making, makes it easier to identify connectivity gaps, extend networks to critical areas, and support evidence-based policy decisions.

The initiative was announced during a regional event on broadband mapping, held on March 26-27, 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It follows an initial introduction of the project at the 2024 ITU Global Symposium for Regulators in Kampala, Uganda.

Currently, Africa-BB-Maps covers 11 countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. The project has been allocated a budget of €15 million ($16.2 million) over four years.

The launch comes as African governments work toward their goal of achieving near-universal broadband access by 2030, as outlined in the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020-2030. Despite these efforts, broadband penetration remains low. According to the GSM Association (GSMA), only 27% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa—about 320 million people—currently use mobile internet. Of the 870 million people still offline, 160 million live in areas with no broadband coverage at all.

While the Africa-BB-Maps project could accelerate broadband adoption in Africa, it remains limited to a small number of countries on a continent with over 50 nations. So far, neither the ITU nor the European Commission has confirmed whether the initiative will be expanded in the future.

Source: Ecofin Agency

Yagbonwura commends MTN for establishing new regional office in Damongo

The overlord of the Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-kunuto Jewu Soale I, has commended MTN Ghana for establishing a new regional office in Damongo, describing it as a significant step towards employment creation and rapid development in his kingdom.

According to the King, the presence of MTN in Damongo will greatly alleviate the economic burden on his people and eliminate the need to travel to Tamale and Wa in the Northern and Upper West regions to access MTN services.

In a press release signed by his secretary, Abdul Samed Abdulai, Yagbonwura praised MTN for its swift response to his request for a regional office.

“Indeed, you are a true, loyal, and trusted partner in development. In less than a year since my request, you have fulfilled it. I have no doubt that this will create employment opportunities for the youth and reduce the cost of traveling to other regions for your services,” the King stated.

Yagbonwura assured MTN Ghana of a peaceful and supportive environment for its operations in the region.

He also urged the telecom giant to prioritise local recruitment, emphasising the availability of skilled human resources within the Savannah Region.

“As partners, we have capable human resources here in Savannah, so do not look beyond the region when recruiting workers for your new office,” he appealed.

In a related development, a three-member delegation from MTN Ghana visited Damongo to inspect the site of the new regional office. The delegation included Adwoa Baah, Senior Manager for Retailing in Northern Ghana, and Kwami Aseye Akude, Manager for Retail Experience.

Source: Isaac Nongya (My JoyOnline)