Mali: USD 117.3 million for the extension of the national fiber optic network

January 8th 2024

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The Malian government has entrusted the extension of the national fiber optic network to the Chinese company China International Telecommunication Construction Corporate. With a total cost of 117.3 million USD, the project was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday January 3. The extension covers the areas of Mopti, Koro, Timbuktu, Gao, Ansongo and Labenzaga. The project execution time is estimated at 24 months.

This investment is part of the Malian government’s digital transformation ambition, which seeks to create an ecosystem conducive to the emergence of start-ups, the modernization of administration and sustainable economic prosperity. The executive is currently working on the development of a National Policy for the Development of the Digital Economy 2024-2028.

The expansion of the national fiber optic network is expected to not only improve the quality and reduce costs of Internet services in targeted areas, but also extend the reach of these services to thousands more people.

According to statistics from data platform DataReportal, Mali had 7.91 million internet users at the start of 2023, with an internet penetration rate of 34.5%. The number of mobile phone subscribers stood at 22.48 million, or 98% of the population. 

Source: Agency EcoFin

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