World Bank Supports Uganda With $200 Million To Accelerate Digital Transformation

Uganda will now have access to high-speed, affordable internet, and a strong digital inclusion.

For this to be so, the World Bank has approved $200 million to improve and efficiently stabilize a digitally-enabled public service delivery in the country.

Themed the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project-GovNet (UDAP-GovNet), the project will support the extension of 1,000 km of the national backbone fiber infrastructure, an additional 500 km of fiber optic network links between towns, mobile broadband connections for 900 government administrative units and service centers in underserved areas, and 828 Wi-Fi hotspots in select locations to support access to online services among rural and peri-urban, underserved and unserved communities.

With $140 million in financing from World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and a $60 million grant, the project will support the implementation of the governments’ flagship initiative, GovNet, which contributes to the objectives of Digital Uganda Vision and the Digital Transformation Program under the National Development Plan III.

“Transforming Uganda’s digital infrastructure is an urgent necessity for post-COVID-19 recovery,” said Tony Thompson, World Bank Country Manager for Uganda.

According to Thompson, they are looking forward to the time when all citizens can access high-quality and low-cost internet, public services online, a digital economy driving growth, innovation, and job creation.

The expanded connectivity will also strengthen the digital inclusion of host communities and refugees by improving the availability of digital infrastructure and tackling demand-side factors like digital skills, affordability of internet connectivity, and accessibility of digital services.