USTDA Connects U.S. ICT Suppliers to Opportunities in East Africa

Maputo, Mozambique – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to SEACOM, Ltd., a pan-African service provider, for a feasibility study to evaluate the market for fiber telecommunications services in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

The grant will provide SEACOM with analysis to determine where to expand infrastructure in the target countries and recommend related investments, including fiber optic cabling and network equipment to increase and improve access to services across East Africa. The project will also provide affordable, reliable high-speed connections across East Africa, enhancing business growth and spurring innovation and productivity in the region.

“USTDA is pleased to build on its partnership with SEACOM to support this important project,” said Acting Director Thomas Hardy. “We’re responding to growing demand in the region for affordable and reliable high-speed connections, and in a way that expands opportunities for U.S. companies.”

“USTDA has been a valued partner to SEACOM since its early beginnings and has been fundamental to the launch and growth of the Internet in Africa. Their continued support through this project will enable critical research on enterprise markets in East Africa, and produce related investment recommendations. SEACOM looks forward to continuing this partnership and the project’s success,” said Suveer Ramdhani, Chief Development Officer of SEACOM.

Hardy signed the grant along with Mr. Ramdhani at the Corporate Council on Africa U.S.-Africa Business Summit 2019 in Maputo, Mozambique.

The project supports Access Africa, a partnership between USTDA and U.S. industry leaders to develop high-quality information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure across Sub-Saharan Africa. It also supports Prosper Africa, a whole-of-government economic initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.