GRIDCo & CSquared Partner To Promote Fiber For All

Accra, April 19, 2021 – The GHANA GRID COMPANY LIMITED (GRIDCo) has today signed a partnership with CSQUARED, Africa’s leading wholesale open-access broadband infrastructure provider, for the leasing of its excess fibre capacity to mobile network operators and Internet Service Providers in Ghana.

GRIDCo’s operations involve the use of an Optical Ground Wire System (OPGW), which serves to protect the nation’s transmission system against lightning strikes. This OPGW can also be utilised as fibre for communication purposes. In 2017 GRIDCo’s subsidiary company GRIDTel, commenced operations with the sole aim of commercialising the excess fibre capacity available from the OPGW installations, by leasing it to telecommunication companies in Ghana.

Broadband connectivity is a powerful catalyst as well as an anchor for economic and social advancement through the creation of jobs and multiple business opportunities. This partnership will enable the deployment of broadband infrastructure to deliver high-speed data services to businesses and homes especially in the more remote areas of Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and other underserved areas in the country. It will promote the country’s journey towards achieving its digital transformation agenda. 

Commenting on the partnership, Jonathan Amoako-Baah, Chief Executive of Ghana Grid Company Limited said:

“What is significant about this partnership is the benefit it will bring to the average Ghanaian in terms of internet broadband access and affordability. Our efforts in this area ties in perfectly with the government’s digitisation agenda. In an age where technology is dictating the pace of everything we do, no one should be left behind in harnessing its power and we are committed to helping enforce that.” 

Public Private Partnerships hold the key to upgrading broadband infrastructure to next generation networks and driving the future advancement of ICT in emerging markets. The partnership provides an attractive alternative revenue source for GRIDCo and gives CSquared new opportunities to drive digital transformation in the sub-region. In the partnership, CSquared will deliver customer and technical support, network security and last mile connectivity, ensuring a better, safer, faster customer experience. 

Chief Executive of CSquared Group, Lanre Kolade, highlighted the direct benefits of the partnership to Ghana:

“Every day, broadband is connecting the unconnected. From education to health care to economic opportunities, more people in Ghana continue to benefit from living in a fully digitized world. This partnership goes a long way towards achieving CSquared’s goal of democratizing connectivity and achieving #InternetForAll.”

Government’s commitment to achieving universal and affordable access to the internet by 2030 makes infrastructure investment critical. This partnership aligns with this goal of driving the digital transformation of Ghana by leveraging government assets through Public Private Partnerships. 

#ConnectingGhana #FibreForAll 

—ENDS—

About CSquared (CSQ)

• CSquared is a technology company, making commercially driven investments into broadband-enabling infrastructure throughout Africa. While a basic connection is useful, when it comes to Internet access, abundant, affordable broadband is needed to transform communities and help people make the most of opportunities online. By investing in internet infrastructure and making it available to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), CSquared helps bring high-quality broadband access to Africa’s major cities.
• CSquared currently owns and operates over 900 km of metropolitan fiber in Kampala and Entebbe in Uganda; more than 2000 km of metro and backbone fiber in Ghana: Accra, Tema, Kasoa, Kumasi & Takoradi; 200 km in Monrovia, Liberia; and about 60km in Nairobi Kenya, where its Headquarters are situated.
• CSquared is jointly owned by Google, Mitsui & Co (Japan), Convergence Partners (South Africa) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC, World Bank Group).

About Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo)

• GRIDCo is a leading power transmission company in West Africa. It operates the Ghana National Interconnected Transmission System and provides electricity transmission services in Ghana and West Africa.
• Since its inception, GRIDCo has continuously worked at upgrading and extending the electricity grid to enhance reliability of electricity supply to industries, commercial and households. As a result, access to electricity in Ghana has increased from 66.7% (2009) to 84.5% (2019) in line with Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.
• The increase in electricity access has resulted in increased income and economic livelihood in the country. In West Africa, GRIDCo has established inter and intra connections, as part of the West African Power Pool System and has positioned Ghana as a Net-Exporter of power within the Sub-region.