Affordable broadband and secure data hosting

This component focuses on expanding high-quality, resilient, and affordable broadband infrastructure. It also supports secure data hosting and the growth of cloud and data market services. Activities will enhance institutional capacity and drive private investment in internet and data infrastructure—critical to powering digital transformation.

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Affordable broadband and secure data hosting

This pillar focuses on expanding essential, high-quality, resilient, and affordable broadband infrastructure and services while supporting investment in secure data infrastructure and the development of cloud and data hosting markets. Activities under this pillar aim to strengthen institutions and help drive private investment in telecom networks and data hosting facilities, which are key foundations for using digital technologies and data productively.

Affordable broadband and secure data hosting pillars

Building and expanding resilient national and regional infrastructure

Financing investments and associated TA, toward a regional or national financing facility to support digital access; Financing, and associated TA, to catalyze regional or national expansion of digital infrastructure, including the design of a financing facility to support digital access; extension of cross-border broadband links; TA, and provision of additional connectivity, for underserved groups, such as rural and climate-vulnerable populations, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs); and TA to develop and participate in integrated infrastructure mapping and a study of least-cost options to cover pending connectivity and data infrastructure needs at the regional level, to be coordinated with energy access planning, leveraging similar activities under the ASCENT Program.
Financing investments and associated TA, to incentivize the private sector to upgrade regional networks for first-, middle- and last-mile broadband infrastructure, including upgrading from copper to more, climate-smart infrastructure, using appropriate methodologies for competitive selection. For instance, existing second generation mobile communications (2G) cellular networks might be upgraded to 4G and above, or low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite technologies may be leveraged, yielding higher energy efficiency and closing the remaining coverage gaps for mobile broadband. Catalytic financing for upgrading and extensions provided through the Program will ensure and promote climate co-benefits.

Connecting key public institutions

Demand aggregation for internet capacity through bulk prepurchase, where applicable, to ensure sustainability, at the country and regional levels, for key public institutions (for example, schools, national research and education networks (NRENs), health clinics, and government institutions) in coordination with parallel efforts by other programs such as the ASCENT Program. A particular focus will be on connecting schools, with a digital mapping exercise coordinated with the energy sector, to offer joint provision of connectivity and renewable energy to targeted institutions. The Bank will also partner with related programs—notably GIGA’s school connectivity, HealthConnekt’s programs, or the initiatives on capacity demand aggregation of EU AfricaConnect and Smart Africa that offer increased scale with the aim of providing universal connectivity to higher education institutions (HEIs), schools and clinics.
Co-investment, with the private sector, for in-campus and in-building connectivity and for last-mile connectivity for educational institutions and clinics, using the most cost-effective technology, through competitive selection processes, such as reverse auctions.

Enhancing data hosting capabilities

Financing investments and associated TA, for the design and deployment of secure, financially viable, and environmentally sustainable government data hosting, leveraging a combination of country-specific and regional data infrastructure in an integrated network, using OneWBG approaches to leverage private capital and private sector capabilities; and bulk purchase of data hosting capacity for public institutions to realize economies of scale and mobilize private investment data infrastructure at the national and regional levels.

Enhancing regional and national policy environment to increase digital access

TA and capacity building to enhance policy and regulatory frameworks and standards for connectivity at the national and regional levels, covering various technologies, including satellites, and support the reduction of climate impact, increase resilience, and support digital inclusion (including for women, marginalized groups, and PWDs); and purchase of energy efficient equipment for the monitoring and management of scarce resources and quality of service (QoS) monitoring, for use by regulatory authorities.
TA and capacity building to strengthen institutions and enhance private sector dialogue to enable and promote private sector financing in the sector, including competition, market entry and licensing, universal access funds, infrastructure sharing and spectrum management, and regulatory sandboxes to support innovation; reform SOEs and develop public-private partnerships (PPPs); and support climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Increasing access to affordable digital devices

Design and capitalization of affordable smart device financing and guarantee schemes for targeted groups (exploring affordable pricing models for devices and services for women and working mothers, PWDs, the elderly, students, and teachers) and relevant e-waste measures to reduce environmental impact and support livelihoods.
TA to enhance the enabling environment and support reforms for making smart devices more affordable to support digital inclusion.