Binta is filling the vegetables she sells on her Weebi tablet. The application has helped her manage her stock and sales, 26 June 2019, Dakar, Senegal. Image Credit: World Bank/Vincent Tremeau
SocietyTechnology West AfricaWorking Towards Better Internet Access (and More Jobs) in This Region
A $266.5 million project is rolling out in West Africa to accelerate digital transformation, ultimately boosting connectivity, increasing job opportunities, and closing the gender gap in digital skills.
“DTfA/ WARDIP is a crucial step toward an interconnected, innovative, and inclusive future for West Africa. It will break down barriers, cultivate a dynamic digital ecosystem, and empower local communities and businesses to thrive in the digital age,” says Boutheina Guermazi, the World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Africa and the Middle East.
The World Bank funds the project to improve internet access across The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mauritania. Currently, less than 40% of the population of West Africa has some mobile broadband service, primarily due to high prices. The DTfA/ WARDIP project will make the digital world much more accessible for many and aligns with the African Union’s strategic vision for creating single digital markets by 2030.
