AU Launches Internet Exchange Point in Gambia: “Contributing to a faster, secure and affordable internet in Africa”

Banjul, Gambia – 17th July 2014: The African Union Commission (AUC), through the Infrastructure and Energy Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure of Gambia launched the Internet Exchange Point in Gambia on 12th July 2014.
The Internet Exchange Point in Gambia will contribute to a faster, secure and affordable internet in Gambia.

Through the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) project, the African Union Commission has so far extended capacity building support to facilitate the establishment of internet exchange points in 29 Member States. The AU has also donated equipment and services with the value of USD20,000 to launch Internet Exchange Points in Namibia, Burundi, Swaziland and Gambia.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank the African Union Commission for the great initiative and foresight. Special thanks to the AU Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy and the Gambia Permanent Representative to the AU. At this juncture, on behalf of the President of The Republic, entire Government, I thank the AUC for the continued support rendered in the socio-economic development of this great nation.” Said Hon. Bala Garba Jahumpa, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure

The Internet in Africa has been growing steadily over the past several years and is beginning to play a significant role in Africa’s development, creating employment, providing opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as acting as an enabler in the digital delivery of government services, education, and healthcare among others.

“Information Communication Technology (ICT) is no longer a side issue, it enables the entire development agenda and therefore promoting ICT is now everyone's responsibility. Not because ICT is a goal in itself – but because it is the means to our other goals, from health to education, from inclusive growth to gender equality, among others.” Said H.E. Dr. Elham Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.”
ICT creates a conducive environment for knowledge to flow at all level of society. The judicious use of the ICT is a determinant factor for knowledge to be properly distributed to the ever demanding society with a quest to know more and more. The gap between developed and developing countries is decreased by the proper proliferation of knowledge.” Added H.E. Dr. Elham Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.”
The launch was officiated by Hon. Bala Garba Jahumpa, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure of Gambia and H.E. Dr. Elham Ibrahim, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy and attended by Senior Government Officials and Leaders of the Industry.

For more information on the African Internet Exchange System Project of the African Union, visit www.au.int/axis