By Nyima Sillah

The Director-General of the Gambia Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Yusupha M. Jobe, has stressed that PURA and partners aspire to invigorate the growth and performance of the ICT sector by calibrating it as a catalyst for the socio-economic progress of The Gambia and beyond.

PURA and Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on Wednesday gathered stakeholders at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre for a three-day workshop to develop a transformative business plan for broadband networks.

The workshop is themed Increasing A Digital Society With Access To Highspeed And Reliable Broadband Internet. It brought, under one roof, different stakeholders from the West Africa sub-region and the goal is to impart to them both theoretical principles and practical guidelines for developing a comprehensive business plan for broadband networks.

“We aspire to stimulate the growth and performance of the ICT sector, positioning it as a catalyst for economic and social progress in The Gambia and beyond,” DG Jobe emphasized as he delivered a statement at the opening ceremony of the three-day workshop.

He explained that broadband stands out as the transformative technology of the century, considering the impact it has on the e-government, telecommunications systems, radio, TV, and “countless” other sectors.

“We believe that this workshop, centered on business plans for broadband networks, will effectively guide us in harmonizing government policies and regulatory instruments that will, no doubt, encourage ICT operators to invest in unserved and underserved areas of the countries to promote and support broadband deployment for the good of our societies and regions,” the PURA boss further explained.

Meanwhile, broadband refers to various high-capacity transmission technologies that transmit data, voice, and video across long distances and at high speeds.

The PURA DG highlighted the importance of the training, saying it signifies a milestone in their collective journey towards advancing the digital landscape in Africa, adding the workshop has been meticulously designed to equip all participants with the knowledge and tools needed to craft a comprehensive business plan for broadband network deployment.

He asserted that the plans will be instrumental in their “overarching goal” of fostering a digital society characterized by universal access to high-speed and reliable broadband internet. 

“Our chosen theme underscores the pivotal role that broadband connectivity plays in shaping the future of our continent. It is imperative that we prioritize and invest in broadband infrastructure to unlock the full potential of the digital age, empowering our communities and industries alike,” DG Jobe told participants.

He pointed out that the objectives of the training are multi-faceted, adding that the aim is to enhance the capacity of ICT regulators, mobile network  operators, and internet service providers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to meet the ever-evolving demands of the ICT sector.