ECOWAS Experts Convene in Banjul for a Landmark Amilcar Cabral Project Consortium Meeting.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant move towards expanding broadband connectivity in West Africa, experts from the ECOWAS Commission, member states, and key partners gathered in Banjul February 26 to 28, 2025, to validate the technical study report and review the draft consortium agreement for the Amilcar Cabral submarine cable project.
The meeting, which is a crucial milestone for the project’s first phase, saw a collaboration between representatives from the Cabinet of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy of the participating nations, including Cabo Verde, Guinea, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.
The project aims to enhance international broadband capacity across these countries and guarantee redundancy with multiple international connections.
The event opened by Mr. Hassan Gaye, Deputy Director of Digitalization, who highlighted the importance of the project in promoting regional integration and economic growth through improved telecommunications infrastructure. The event also saw the participation of key figures such as Ms. Violetta Insa, Consul General of the Kingdom of Spain in The Gambia, and Mr. Kebba Fye, Acting Director of the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU).
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Douka Sediko, delivered an insightful speech underscoring the role of the submarine cable in transforming the digital landscape of the region. “This initiative is not only about connecting countries but also about creating new opportunities for innovation, economic development, and cooperation within the ECOWAS community,” he remarked.
The meeting provided an invaluable platform for technical and financial partners to discuss strategies for successfully implementing the project. Experts delved into the technical aspects of the submarine cable system, focusing on its capacity to improve communication infrastructure and ensure sustainable digital development in the region.
The consortium partners of the Amilcar Cabral project are committed to working together in creating a robust, redundant international broadband network that will better serve the needs of the West African population and businesses. This initiative is poised to drive significant progress in enhancing digital inclusion, boosting economic activities, and ensuring that countries within the ECOWAS region are well-positioned for the digital future.
As the project continues to advance, the collaboration between ECOWAS, its member states, and international partners will remain critical in achieving the long-term goals of the Amilcar Cabral submarine cable Project.
