Orange, MTN, and Moov Africa have pledged to improve network coverage in Côte d’Ivoire by deploying 240 new radio sites, particularly in underserved rural areas. This initiative aligns with the government’s push for digital inclusion and is partially funded through fines imposed on these telecom companies in 2021 for failing to meet service quality standards. Instead of paying the fines outright, the operators reached agreements to reinvest the funds into infrastructure development.
The expansion supports Côte d’Ivoire’s National Rural Connectivity Program (PNCR), which aims to connect 240 villages in 2025. While the government has allocated CFA18 billion ($30 million) to the project, the redirected telecom fines add CFA13.2 billion ($22 million).
Despite these commitments, telecom operators have historically been hesitant to expand into rural areas due to lower profitability. To ensure follow-through, the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ARTCI) has set up monitoring committees to track progress. With 4G already covering 91.5% of the population and 2G/3G reaching over 98%, this initiative could significantly enhance digital access—if properly executed.
Read the full story here: Tech In Africa