By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
The World Bank Group (WBG) has approved a significant $137 million investment aimed at accelerating digital integration and job creation in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This initiative, which is the second installment of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), focuses on strengthening the foundation for a robust digital economy through three essential pillars: expanding digital infrastructure, fostering a business-friendly environment, and enabling regional business scalability.
The WARDIP2 initiative is set to enhance broadband access for approximately 5.2 million individuals, bringing digitally enabled services to an additional 5.4 million users across the participating nations. “This new initiative positions West Africa to drive economic transformation by creating jobs, enhancing resilience, and fostering a more interconnected digital market,” stated Michel Rogy, World Bank Digital and AI Regional Practice Director. He emphasized the initiative’s aim to tackle persistent connectivity issues that hinder competitiveness and limit access to digital opportunities.
Investments will focus on developing resilient broadband networks, boosting international connectivity, and enhancing data-center capacities, all of which are crucial for generating new digital jobs and improving both public and private sector service delivery. Additionally, the program will provide digital skills training for 9,000 individuals, particularly targeting women and youth, and will expand opportunities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.
Acting World Bank Regional Integration Director for Africa, Marina Wes, highlighted that WARDIP2’s regulatory harmonization and governance modernization efforts will create a more predictable and investment-friendly environment. The program is designed to support the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and implement regulatory reforms that lower deployment costs while broadening access to high-quality, affordable connectivity.
To further support businesses, WARDIP2 will enhance digital entrepreneurship ecosystems, expand digital financial services, and offer seed financing and market access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups. It is projected that over 140 digital startups, including those led by women, will benefit from these investments, fostering firm growth and catalyzing job creation across the region.
Launched in November 2023, WARDIP aims to revolutionize internet access and promote a unified digital market within West Africa. Its first phase, implemented in collaboration with the African Union, Smart Africa, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has successfully supported The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania, benefiting 1.3 million people, half of whom are women. WARDIP2 expands this promise to seven countries within the WAEMU.
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