The French Development Agency (AFD) has granted a US$130mn loan to the National Agency for Côte dIvoires Universal Telecommunications and ICT (ANSUT), to build and develop 7000km fibre optic network in the country
As reported in the It Web Africa, the deal for the loan is valid for a period of 20 years.
Speaking to the source, Bruno Leclerc, director of AFD in Côte d'Ivoire, commented that in this project ANSUT will be working as a public company, without involving the state into the debt.
This is in line with Côte d'Ivoire's ambitious plan to build up a robust fibre network infrastructure in the country, addressing the need for boosting internet and broadband infrastructure to attain economic development.
According to the source, the country launched its fibre optic project in 2012, which reached a 5000km mark by the end of 2017.
More than US$177mn has already been spent on the fibre network project, with the money raised from the regional commercial banks, stated the source.
Speaking about the project, Euloge Kipeya, director general of ANSUT, said that the financing from AFD will help in the completion of the last phase of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
