Summary sheet
The envelope aims at accelerating the deployment of digital infrastructure and solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular the ones now being used to build resilience in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The envelope aims at financing operators of telecom infrastructures (international connectivity, backbones, access networks, cores, datacentres and the modernisation of energy supply infrastructure of cellular tower sites). The envelope also aims at financing service companies offering digital solutions, which could notably include the research and development (R&D) and the implementation of IT systems in the field of mobile services, digitalisation, process optimisation, business model evolution, regulatory requirements, risk management and cyber-security protection.
Accelerating the deployment of digital infrastructure and solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular the ones now being used to build resilience in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
If it were located within the EU, the underlying projects would not require a mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA), as it does not fall under Annex I or II of the EIA Directive 2014/52/EU amending the Directive 2011/92/EU. Full environmental and social details will be assessed during appraisal of the underlying projects, with particular focus on infrastructure, which are the project that will require relevant construction works, and environmental and social studies may be required by the Bank.
The Bank will require that the Promoters of the underlying projects ensure that implementation of the project will be done in accordance with the Bank's Guide to Procurement.