The announcement by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) to join hands to boost the West Africa ICT infrastructure mapping across the region will focus on six key areas.
They are:
- Joint advocacy: Raising awareness about the importance of data collection and management for informed decision-making.
- Capacity building: Sharing resources and conducting training sessions to improve member states’ mapping capabilities.
- Technical assistance: Providing support to review and update infrastructure data.
- Data analysis for decision-making: Using data to gain insights for better infrastructure investment decisions.
- Regional integration: Identifying network interconnection gaps and opportunities to promote new investments and partnerships.
- Transparency: Advocating for improved transparency by making infrastructure information accessible online.
The collaboration is coming as both organizations acknowledge the critical role of comprehensive ICT infrastructure data and mapping in developing effective strategies. This data, along with Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), is vital for connecting underserved areas and making informed decisions about infrastructure investments.
According to industry watchers, this collaboration promises to significantly enhance connectivity and boost socio-economic growth. ITU and WATRA are expected to combine their existing initiatives to streamline efforts and reduce costs. They aim to establish consistent procedures for high-quality infrastructure mapping, accelerating the connection of communities to the digital economy.
Also, the collaboration is expected to deliver several benefits, including:
- Improved data consistency
- Informed infrastructure investment decisions
- Streamlined decision-making processes
- Increased regional integration
- Enhanced transparency through web-based information access
Hear from Aliyu Aboki, Executive Secretary of WATRA: “WATRA is thrilled to collaborate with ITU on this crucial initiative. By working together, we will not only improve the quality of infrastructure mapping but also empower our member states to make data-driven decisions that bridge the connectivity gap and promote economic growth.”
This joint effort by ITU and WATRA marks a significant step forward in enhancing ICT infrastructure mapping in West Africa. By working together, they aim to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all communities in the region can benefit from the digital economy.