West African Telecom Regulators Trained on Broadband Mapping
The Africa-BB-Maps project aims to standardize digital infrastructure data across the region to identify connectivity gaps.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Regulators from West African nations completed a training session in Abidjan on using geographic information systems for broadband mapping. This initiative is part of the Africa-BB-Maps project, which launched in March 2025 to help identify underserved areas through standardized infrastructure data.
Why it matters
Mapping broadband infrastructure allows authorities to identify service gaps and allocate resources to improve Internet penetration, which currently ranges from 28% to 60% across participating nations. Standardized data platforms are essential for coordinating regional connectivity strategies.
The initiative targets disparities in digital adoption across the region, where 2024 Internet usage levels vary from 60% in Senegal down to 28% in Burkina Faso. The project standardizes infrastructure cataloging by integrating physical network data, service availability metrics, and quality indicators.
The players
ITU
The International Telecommunication Union acts as the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies.
ARTCI
The Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d'Ivoire oversees the national digital infrastructure and regulatory environment.
ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States manages the ECODOB digital observatory to coordinate regional infrastructure policy.
The details
The Africa-BB-Maps project utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) — a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing spatial data — to visualize digital infrastructure. By combining physical assets with population density, regulators can identify specific regions that remain offline. Similar to existing tools like the ECODOB regional digital observatory, these platforms centralize records to facilitate cross-border digital planning.
Timeline
March 2025: The Africa-BB-Maps project launched.
June 2026: An initial training module occurred in Cotonou.
September 21-25, 2026: A training session took place in Abidjan.
The Tech Race
The Africa-BB-Maps project builds upon regional efforts established by the ECODOB regional digital observatory to standardize digital infrastructure reporting. This move represents a shift toward harmonized data protocols as countries like Burkina Faso and Senegal independently develop their own WebGIS infrastructure platforms.
This project enables authorities to better target infrastructure investments, potentially increasing the availability of high-speed connectivity in underserved regions. While the training focuses on regulators and data workflows, the goal is to accelerate the expansion of reliable network access for local populations.
The takeaway
Reliable broadband access depends on the ability to pinpoint where physical infrastructure is currently lacking. Readers should watch for future reports from participating member states like Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria as they integrate these GIS methods into their national development plans.
Further reading
Explore ongoing regional efforts to bridge the connectivity gap in Telecommunications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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