*$132M Invested
*2.3M Internet Users
*1st Open 5G Network
The Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovations, Madam Salima Bah has, in a recent interview with an international media, outlined some of her ongoing reforms since her appointment.
During the interview, Minister Salima Bah explained some of the current reforms taking place within the country’s technology and innovation space including the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to Madam Bah, the government has invested over one hundred and thirty two million United States Dollars (US$132m) into the technology and innovation sector covering policies, infrastructure and funding projects like the Universal Access Development Fund.
The Minister also noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast a rise in internet users across the country from 1.8 million users to over 2.3 million who are now using the internet across the country.
The government, she furthered, has also helped introduce and unveil the region’s first 5G open access standalone network, adding that infrastructure is just the foundation to the good work that lies ahead.
According to Minister Bah, a lot has changed since her appointment, adding that apart from the infrastructural development, the ministry has also hosted two annual tech summits.
She further disclosed that there is currently over 75% increase in the fiber optic backbone penetration and internet bandwidth capacity.
The Minister also spoke on the issue of interconnecting with neighboring Guinea and also the huge number of mobile sites in rural areas across the country, which she said, has almost doubled since 2018.
