The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on governments in West Africa to liaise with telecom operators and other private investors to improve infrastructure, reduce data costs and ensure reliable service delivery.
The call forms part of recommendations contained in the MFWA’s state of the Internet report which covers the period July-September 2017. Titled the West Africa Internet Rights Monitor, the report covers eight countries in West Africa – Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia and Togo.
Findings from the monitoring period identified high cost of data, poor quality of service, lack of internet specific policy frameworks and internet shutdowns as the major challenges affecting internet access and use in the sub region.
To overcome this challenge, the MFWA urged authorities to prioritise the development of internet infrastructure and the promotion of digital rights in their various countries.
For additional details of these findings, kindly click here to read the full report.
