Afghanistan Gets $22 Million Credit To Rebuild Telecom Infrastructure

The World Bank this week agreed to provide the Afghanistan government with a $22 million credit to rebuild its telecommunications infrastructure and improve telecom access and services for the Afghani population. The World Bank financing will support an emergency telecommunications project, which will assist in developing a government communications network linking ministries in Kabul with the provinces. It will also encourage the growth of private competition among telecommunications networks and services.

Earlier this year, the World Bank provided Afghanistan with $3 million in grants to support the rehabilitation of a satellite earth station in Kabul, repair of a microwave link to neighboring countries, as well as installation of a basic billing system. This project will allow for improved international connectivity supporting the flow of voice and data traffic between Afghanistan and the rest of the world.