Cairo, Kinshasa: Benya, a pioneer in the ICT industry and the largest systems integrator and digital solutions provider in Egypt and the region, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and New Information and Communication Technologies (PT-NTIC); the DRC authority responsible for communications infrastructure. Under the terms of this agreement, Benya will spearhead the development of the DRC’s ICT infrastructure through the establishment of an end-to-end National Fiber Optics Network (NFON) for the DRC. This project will connect all cities digitally, and significantly improve accessibility to high-quality and high-speed network services to the residents of DRC at a low cost.
Following the announcement of this agreement, and in collaboration with EGAAD (Egyptian African Arab Company for Development), the PT-NTIC and Benya will work together to build the NFON following internationally accredited industry standards. The engagement between both entities will be executed in two phases: the first being the implementation of the network and the second being the operations, providing seamless digital services to the DRC population.
The fibre optics cables will be supplied by Benya Cables, the largest fibre optics factory in Egypt, Africa, and the Arab region. The factory was established in partnership with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) and in cooperation with Corning International; World leader in high quality Fiber Optics.
“The two parties will enter into a working session to analyse all the parameters (financial, legal and technical) in order to prepare the signing of the contract which will take place as soon as the two parties have set the terms of the partnership which will now govern them”, states the ministry of PT-NTIC.
The Democratic Republic of Congo “is at a crossroads on the way to its development and economic growth”, proclaimed the Minister of PT-NTIC, His Excellency Mr. Augustin Kibassa Maliba, stating that “to succeed in our digital transformation, solid and reliable foundations must be put in place so that the concept of digital technology and its palpable experience develop and mature not only in Kinshasa, but also in others cities and territories of our Country. These bases are none other than the infrastructures which today constitute the basis of digital development “.
True to his promise to boost the Congolese post and telecommunications company, he affirms that it is the SCPT that will enter into partnership with Benya for the construction of the 16,000 km, and the materialization of this project.
“African countries have every potential to adopt and accelerate digital transformation services as a driver for growth. New Digital transformation services require high-speed digital highways. With the necessary funds and investments, we can build core infrastructure and competencies,” said Benya Chairman and CEO, Mr. Ahmed Mekky. Mr. Mekky added, “Over the past few years, Egypt has witnessed an unprecedented growth in digital transformation backed by strong governmental support. Benya contributed to nationwide projects for the new capital, ministry of education and ministry of public enterprises transformation, and is fervent in its Africa expansion, intending to leverage Egypt’s expertise and transfer our knowledge to support African countries’ ICT infrastructure and digital transformation projects and services.”
Mr. Mekky concluded: “We thank the Government of DRC, the Ministry of PT-NTIC and His Excellency Mr. Augustin Kibassa Maliba for their confidence in Benya to partner in the implementation of a design, build and operate project of this strategic magnitude and importance for the DRC. Benya is honoured to be part of this great achievement, and we assure them and the people of the DRC, that we strive to exceed expectations”
“Under the terms of this agreement, Benya will work with the PT-NTIC over the coming few months to plan and execute this state-of-the-art fiber optics network by employing the industry’s best-practices” said Benya Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Osama Qadan. He added, “Once completed, this network will add unprecedented capacities to the DRC digital infrastructure and allow the government to connect the people of the DRC to new worlds of digital services.”
Earlier this year, during a high profile DRC delegation visit to Egypt organized and hosted by EGAAD consortium, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to facilitate cooperation in the areas of digital transformation and digital economy.