Michael Malakata

To meet growing demand, offerings will include voice, data, video and Internet connectivity for governments and commercial clients

Citing unspecified security concerns, Southern African governments are shying away from deregulating international telecommunications gateways.

In an attempt to meet fears that cast-off mobile phones are posing an increasing toxic risk in the developing world, Nokia has launched a recycling initiative in East Africa

Government officials and industry insiders have high hopes for the World Bank's additional US$1 billion investment, announced this week, in the development of the information and communication technology infrastructure in Africa over the next five years.

The World Bank's International Financing Corp. loaned Africa's second-largest mobile telecommunications company, Celtel International BV, US$320 million for expansion in five countries on the continent.

Three regional economic blocs in Africa are now taking a joint approach to the Comtel telecommunications project, which had stalled as individual countries developed their own infrastructures.

A critical mass of countries are expected to ratify the e-Africa Commission's regional telecommunications protocol by the end of June, paving the way for implementation of broadband interconnection projects on the continent. The e-Africa Commission is part of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and chartered by the African Union to build and develop the continent's information and communications technology infrastructures.

Mobile Telecommunication Company Group (MTC) of Kuwait is setting up a US$10.5 billion investment fund to expand mobile telecom operations in Africa through Celtel International.