Uganda has been selected as one of 11 African nations to participate in a groundbreaking €15 million European Union-funded initiative aimed at developing national broadband mapping systems. This ambitious project was unveiled during the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) 2024, jointly organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), held at the Speke Convention Centre in Munyonyo.
The EU’s €15 million investment spans over four years and is dedicated to establishing comprehensive broadband mapping systems across participating countries. Besides Uganda, the project will benefit Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The primary objective is to enhance digital connectivity and stimulate investment in critical digital infrastructure.
The initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide by ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity through accurate broadband mapping. By mapping out broadband availability and quality, these nations aim to attract investments that will bolster their digital economies and foster inclusive growth. This effort is pivotal in leveraging ICTs for economic development and societal progress.
Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, emphasized the transformative potential of the Africa Broadband Maps. He highlighted that the project would catalyze digital transformation across the continent by creating robust National Broadband Mapping Systems.
At the GSR-24, regulators endorsed the “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines,” designed to optimize the benefits of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. These guidelines aim to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring effective regulation, thereby harnessing ICT advancements for positive societal and economic impacts.
