China to help Sierra Leone link up with ACE

A Concord Times report says that Sierra Leone has entered into a US$15 million loan agreement with China.

Sierra Leone has entered into a loan agreement with China in order to complete its connection to ACE cable system. (Image: File)

According to what has been reported as bilateral and development cooperation between the two countries, the agreement helps Sierra Leone complete its connectivity to the ACE cable system linking the Africa coast to Europe.

Xu Zhou, Head of Political Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, told the publication that the Chinese government had approved the loan and the project would be implemented by Huawei.

The report details the launch of the 17,000-kilometer ACE cable by France Telecom, a system that will run from France to South Africa, connect 23 countries and is expected to enhance broadband access.

According to the report Sierra Leone received a line of credit of US$31 million from the World Bank used by the country to connect to its first fibre optic. Last year the international body also approved a total of $71.5 million for broadband development throughout the continent.

Staff Writer