Boosting Connectivity in Colombia with International Support

On February 21, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (Mintic) of Colombia announced a pivotal alliance. This partnership, joined by the European Union (EU) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), aims to enhance connectivity throughout Colombia, with a particular focus on rural and remote areas.

The international cooperation agreement, worth 20 million dollars, will bolster technological development in the region. The funding has been secured through a leveraging effort collectively involving the European Investment Bank (EIB) and CAF. The initiative aligns with Colombia’s National Connectivity Plan, underscoring the continuing in the building of digital infrastructure to bridge the digital divide.

Key figures at the formalization meeting included the acting Minister of ICT, Belfor Fabio García Henao; the CAF representative in Colombia, Rodrigo Peñailillo; and the director for the Americas of the European External Action Service of the EU, Pelayo Castro Zuzuágui.

The Minister in charge of the ICT expressed gratitude for the trust these two great organisations have placed in the country. Thank you for your confidence in Latin America and your commitment to the development of our region, since It will allow us to close the digital and social gaps, and involve communities in the territories, which are making an appropriation of technology. “

Minister Belfor Fabio García Henao

Strategic Importance and Future Plans

Under the direction of Elyesa Castro Zuzuágui, Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service, the EU emphasized the importance of digital transformation. This venture is part of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy which aims to promote sustainable investment globally. Additionally, this initiative includes the development of participatory workshops designed to ensure the inclusion of vulnerable populations and align with the National Connectivity Plan. It includes advancements in digital connectivity aligned with environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Minister reaffirmed that this digital network initiative had the potential to inject both capital, strategic importance, as well as principles and skills, which are, notably, shared and extolled values, particularly concentrating on digital connectivity. The initiative seeks to facilitate digital access to transform traditional connectivity into future-focused technology.

The development of the project is expected to last two years, focusing on providing internet services to public schools and vulnerable communities as part of the initiative.

We want a Colombia in which Everyone has access to the digital world and we will work together to make it come true, he added.

Castro Zuzuágui highlighted, “As part of our ‘Global Gateway Sustainable and Fair Investment Strategy,’ we support Colombia on its path of digital transformation with shared values and focused on the human being.

“Connectivity allows the generation of opportunities for development, investment, and employment, but to achieve these results, it has to reach the whole country, in particular, the most remote regions and the communities that suffer from digital divide situations. This is the added value of adding efforts with the government, the private sector and multilateral banking. Only then can we face the challenges of our time without leaving anyone behind.”

Peñailillo, the CAF representative, pointed out the significance of this moment for the financial entity, supporting the challenge of bridging the digital gap. This European Union commitment to dispose of these funds is very important. It is a pride to participate in this project, commented Peñailillo.

Colombia’s initiative is seen not just as a boost to infrastructure but also, notably, as a means to foster technology usage and digital literacy among communities, especially in preparing locally for global local partnerships through education.

Rodrigo Peñaillo, representative of CAF, echoed similar sentiments. This is a very special moment, particularly for our financial entity. This support, Gothenburg to the European Union, with funds, strengthens the capacity to close the digital gap in a sustainable, equitable manner and brings much value to the effort in terms of a lasting connection at the community and national level.

By fostering partnerships with local entities and communities, Colombia hopes to emulate digital transformation already underway in cities, urban zones of rural communities like Rwanda, that have exploited disruptive technology, especially,open-source technology, and widespread public Wi-Fi access.