MTN’s Bayobab to Manage National Fibre Infrastructure in Central African Republic

Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN, has secured a contract to manage, operate, and maintain the national fibre infrastructure in the Central African Republic (CAR). The contract was officially signed on July 12th by the Minister for Posts and Telecommunications, Justin Gourna Zacko, and the Chairman and CEO of Bayobab, Frederic Schepens. This public-private partnership is initially set to last for 15 months.

As part of the agreement, Bayobab will offer wholesale internet services to multiple operators in the CAR market, including Moov Africa Centrafrique, Orange Centrafrique, Socatel, and Telecel-RCA. The move aims to enhance the quality of broadband services while reducing consumer tariffs for internet access.

The contract is made possible through the Central African Backbone project (CAB-RCA), a 935km fibre network that spans two critical routes in the country. Construction of the network began in September 2019, and it became operational in February 2023. The implementation of this fibre infrastructure is expected to significantly improve internet connectivity and communication capabilities in the Central African Republic.

By entrusting Bayobab with the management and operation of this national fibre infrastructure, the CAR government seeks to leverage the company’s expertise and resources to optimize the network’s performance and offer more reliable and affordable internet services to the population. This partnership is a significant step towards enhancing digital connectivity in the Central African Republic and promoting economic growth through improved access to technology and communication services.