Cassava Technologies’ subsidiary, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, has announced a partnership with Microsoft Corp. aimed at providing high-speed internet access to 20 million people in Africa by the end of 2025. The partnership will focus on places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, but it will not be limited to these countries.
Through this joint effort, the goal is to expand access to high-speed connectivity even in the remotest areas of Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. This ambitious project aims to bridge the digital divide and bring essential resources to those who have been left behind by the rapid pace of technological advancement.
In a collaborative effort, these companies aim to equip both individuals and enterprises across several of the United Nations’ underdeveloped nations with the tools necessary to address the digital divide, while facilitating the transition of additional African countries into the realm of digital economy.
Nic Rudnick, Group Deputy Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, has stated that access to high-speed connectivity has evolved from being a luxury to becoming an absolute necessity. With a remarkable fibre backbone that extends over 100,000 km across the African continent, Liquid is in an exceptional position to provide high-speed connectivity even to the most remote communities. The company’s vision is to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind, and this new investment is a step forward towards realizing that vision.
The initiative will be discussed at length during a panel at the upcoming Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).
As per the International Telecommunication Union’s report, a staggering 2.7 billion people worldwide remain isolated from the digital world, either due to lack of access or affordability issues. The problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where traditional telecommunication infrastructure falls short in sparsely populated regions.
Vickie Robinson, the General Manager of Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, has emphasised the importance of internet access as a fundamental right that fosters economic opportunity and development.
“This new collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies builds upon our existing collaboration to catalyse economic growth and development in Africa, enabling us to accelerate our efforts to extend high-speed internet to a quarter of a billion people by the end of 2025, including 100 million in Africa.” said Robinson.
Robinson emphasized the significance of strategic partnerships in bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable access to connectivity, especially in crucial markets.
Microsoft’s Airband Initiative is teaming up with a diverse range of organizations to create, execute, and maintain programs that provide custom connectivity solutions tailored to the needs of specific communities. These collaborations involve working closely with broadband providers, local internet service providers (ISPs), energy partners, international groups, and municipal governments to deliver internet access to areas that have been left behind by traditional infrastructure. The initiative’s ultimate goal is to connect unserved or underserved communities all over the globe with reliable, high-speed internet access.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to the mission and ambition of the United Nations, Microsoft is co-chairing its LDC5 Private Sector Forum where we will explore ways that digital development can further these goals and help make them a reality,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president.
The rapid uptake of digital technologies across the continent of Africa has grown exponentially in recent times. However, this has also highlighted a significant issue – the digital divide in Africa is widening, as access to high-speed connectivity remains a challenge for many Africans. Despite the abundance of digital tools and resources, their effectiveness is compromised without sufficient access.
This initiative is expected to be instrumental in securing the future of Africans on the continent, as both companies work towards creating a truly inclusive digital economy. By bridging the gap in high-speed connectivity, these initiatives are paving the way for a brighter future, where the full potential of digital technologies can be realised in Africa.
