Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 76 | Page 12

NEWS

African Development Bank approves $ 29 million to boost Ghana ’ s solar electrification

provided $ 27 million while Switzerland ’ s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the government of Ghana have contributed $ 13.3 and $ 16.0 million respectively .
The project consists of the design , engineering , supply , construction , installation , testing and commissioning of renewable energy systems on the island communities in the Volta Lake region .

The Board of Directors of the African

Development Bank , approved a grant of $ 29 million for Ghana to construct renewable energy infrastructure that will increase its renewable energy use by 10 % through 2030 . The financing , which will come from the Climate Investment Funds , Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries , will support construction of mini-grids , stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems , and solar-based battery facilities for storing excess power , a practise known as net metering .
With the latest Board approval of $ 29 million , the project ’ s total cost of $ 85 million is in the coffers . The African Development Fund , the Bank ’ s concessionary window , has
It is expected to contribute to closing gender gaps at the outcome level by creating 2,865 equitable jobs and livelihood opportunities out of which 30 % will be for women and youth .
Under its New Deal on Energy for Africa , the African Development Bank seeks to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on the continent as well as light up and power Africa as part of its High 5 priority objectives for enhancing the continent ’ s socioeconomic development .

Liquid Intelligent Technologies signs MoU with Zambia to accelerate country ’ s digital transformation

Liquid Intelligent Technologies , a business of Cassava Technologies , a pan-African technology group , signed a Memorandum of Understanding , with the Government of Zambia to accelerate the country ’ s digital transformation and provide reliable and affordable connectivity to all Zambians .

The agreement builds on Liquid ’ s already extensive investments made since it opened its doors in Zambia in 2011 . In the MoU , Liquid Zambia has committed to launching a new datacentre that can respond to increasing datahosting needs from local businesses and hyperscalers establishing their presence in Zambia .
Planned expansion of Liquid ’ s fibre network will see the connection of more towns across the country , and the physical infrastructure needed to connect schools and clinics along Liquid ’ s network will also be deployed . The group will also be working with the government to offer public and private cloud , and cyber security solutions to support the digitisation of government services .
These activities and investments , coupled with further expansion of the network across Zambia ’ s borders will position Zambia as a strong hub of digital activity in the region .
The lack of connectivity and the impact it has on the country ’ s socio-economic development is the main reason why the Zambian government has prioritised the country ’ s digital transformation .
“ We recognise the significant efforts that the Zambian government is making to accelerate the country ’ s digital transformation and share His Excellency , President Hichilema ’ s vision for the development of Zambia ’ s digital economy . Given the conducive investment environment , we are committed to further investments in Zambia ’ s digital infrastructure ” said Hardy Pemhiwa , President and Group CEO , Cassava Technologies .
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