Moov and Airtel enter partnership to help connect 200 underserved villages in Gabon. The new development followed up a meeting on February 16, 2024, that took place between the heads of both telecom companies and Celestin Kadjidja, the president of Gabon’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (Autorite de Regulation des Communications ELectronques et des Postes, or ARCEP).
Moov and Airtel Enters Partnership in Gabon
The new partnership as you should know is part of the second phase of ARCEP’s Universal Service Development Project, which in question helps to regulate telecommunications and postal services in Gabon.
The initial phase of the project, implemented from 2016 to 2018, involved installing 18 radio stations to deliver mobile telephone and Internet services to 33 villages. Now, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, currently serving as Gabon’s Transitional President, Chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, and Commander-in-Chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, has instructed the relaunch of the project.
Nguema has directed the country’s telecommunications regulator to develop long-term strategies aimed at promoting digital inclusion. According to estimates by ARCEP, approximately 1,253 villages, constituting about 6.5% of the country’s population, lack access to mobile telephone and Internet coverage.
Data from ARCEP for the First Quarter Of 2023
Data from ARCEP for the first quarter of 2023 indicates a mobile phone penetration rate of 169% and an Internet connectivity rate of 120.3% in Gabon. However, considering that many Gabonese residents possess multiple SIM cards, these figures are likely inflated.
The collaborative efforts of Moov Africa and Airtel to extend coverage to Gabon’s underserved areas are expected to significantly improve access to mobile phone and Internet services for thousands of Gabonese citizens. For telecom operators, expanding their customer base translates to increased revenues.
The Gabonese Government Prioritizing Digital Transformation
The Gabonese government has been prioritizing digital transformation as a cornerstone of its 10-year economic and social development plan. To support these efforts, the World Bank recently announced a $68.5 million loan for the Digital Gabon Project, aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital public services and facilitating inclusive access to public services through the issuance of unique IDs.
What the Collaboration between the Two Telecommunications Companies in Gabon Means
The collaboration between the two telecommunications companies in Gabon aligns with the country’s transformation objectives, furthering its journey toward a digitally inclusive society.
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