IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE), signed an agreement to attract private sector participation to expand and operate high-speed internet network to help boost connectivity, improve digital services, and create jobs.

IFC will work together with the ministry to launch a competitive and transparent tender for a public-private partnership to operate, commercialize, finance, and expand Jordan’s national broadband network (NBN), a fiber-optic open access data network currently under development. As the lead transaction adviser, IFC will help structure the partnership to attract potential international and regional private investment in this key project.

The project marks the first Public private partnership (PPP) in Jordan’s growing information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Once completed, the NBN is expected to boost broadband penetration and affordability for households, and businesses, provide sufficient infrastructure for 5G operators and provide high-speed internet connectivity to about 5,000 public sites, including schools, healthcare centers, and government offices.

“The NBN already includes more than 5,500 km of fiber-optic networks across the country and should reach 7,000 km by 2021,” said Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Mothanna Gharaibeh. “With the PPP, its large reach and spare capacity will help make high-speed internet more accessible and affordable, which is key to supporting Jordan’s digital transformation and will help the private operators to prepare more to 5G.”

 “Today’s agreement will support the government’s plans to improve Jordan’s ICT infrastructure, mobilize foreign direct investment, and enhance competition in the ICT sector,” said Mazen Alsad, hub leader for PPP transaction advisory services in Levant region, “We also hope that better and more affordable broadband internet services will have a positive impact on productivity, job creation, and social inclusion.”

This project is IFC’s first engagement following the signing in of the Project Pipeline Development Facility (PPDF), a strategic partnership between IFC and the government to support the work of the Central PPP Unit to attract more private sector participation in Jordan.

Source- Press Release