By: Fatoumatta J Camara
The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) ishosting a two-day meeting of the West Africa Telecommunication Regulators Assembly (WATRA) on cyber security, consumer access, and experience and infrastructure development.
The forum, themed Enhancing Digital Transformation in West Africa, Strengthening Connectivity, Security and Access, brought together participants from the sub-region.
Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Ousman Bah, said in opening remarks that the forum is aimed at transforming The Gambia into a knowledge-based economy that thrives on an accessible, secure, and high-speed broadband ecosystem within an open access regime. He added that this aligns with the strategic objective of the Gambia recovery-focusing National Development Plan (RF – NDP) – 2023 -2027, which is meant to transform The Gambia into a digital nation.
“This is an evident and clear manifestation that The Gambia government recognizes the transformative power of digital technologies and the internet, hence it is fully committed to leading the telecommunications sector towards a higher sustainable development path,” he said.
According to him, The Gambia has made significant strides in expanding telecommunications infrastructure for the first, middle, and last mile infrastructure, noting that challenges still lie ahead.
Minister Bah disclosed that before 2012, The Gambia solely relied on a single satellite gateway with limited capacity connecting the country with other countries and people,regionally and globally, adding that the government invested in bringing the ACE Submarine Cable Landing in 2012.
He disclosed that the government has secured funding for a second Submarine Cable for The Gambia envisaged to be deployed and operationalized by the end of 2025. He explained that this would be backhauled by a national fiber transmission backbone across the length and breadth of the country.
Dr. Njogou Bah, Director General of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) underlined that the theme of the forum stands on the point of a new era defined by unprecedented technological advancements, noting that the countries must come together to chart a course that ensures the region remains at the forefront of innovation and progress.
He emphasized that the fundamental goal of the Banjul meeting is to encourage African countries to promote and adopt what would be recommendations from the working group meeting.
“We hope that participants will propose viable solutions to address the identified challenges in the sector, leading to the implementation of appropriate measures for a better telecommunication industry in the region,” said the PURA boss.
He emphasized that as critical players, serving the role of a watchdog, it is hugely vital to gather all relevant players and stakeholders in their collective search for viable and sustainable solutions for the facilitation of meaningful services amidst rising consumer demands.
“We deeply appreciate WATRA’s continuous support and cooperation and we are honoured by the trust placed in The Gambia to host this important meeting,” he concluded.