Rwanda and Gabon have launched a one area network that will see call rates between the two African countries go down significantly.
According to New Times Rwanda, the initiative was launched by Rwandese President Paul Kagame and Gabonese President Ali Bongo yesterday in Kigali with an aim of allowing their citizens to enjoy lower call rates as both countries remove roaming charges.
President Kagame said such developments and digital integration serves the goal of achieving a single digital market in Africa.
“The One Area Network marks one step forward toward our goal of having a single digital market for Africa. I hope to see more of these launches to serve our citizens, to communicate more cheaply,” Kagame said.
Kagame further said that will serve greatly in integrating Africa. The Northern Corridor region, covering Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, has increased mobile traffic by about 800 per cent, consequently increasing profits of operators in the region after a similar initiative was implemented according to the New Times report.
The Rwandan President added that the Smart Africa Alliance, which has 11 African countries as members at the moment, is committed to placing ICT at the centre of socio-economic development that looks to ensure that the internet creates new opportunities for everyone.
“We have been speaking a great deal about the unity of our continent and this is one of the actions that are going to help us realise that. Connecting our networks and our markets is the realisation of this ideal and will yield results for our people,” said Kagame.
Kagame called on more African countiries to join the alliance so as to multiply the benefits to its citizens.
Smart Africa Alliance Executive Secretary, Dr Hamadoun Toure, said he single market, would be in a better position to attract multinationals operating in the ICT sector and be in a better position to negotiate better deals with the firms. According to Kagame for countires to achieve affordable and accessible internet, the private sector must be involved.
