To strengthen connectivity in Colombia and promote development in the territories, especially in rural and remote areas, the ICT Ministry, the European Union (EU) and CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, have signed a Cooperation Agreement to allocate nearly USD 20 billion to leverage financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and CAF to support the country's National Connectivity Plan.
The agreement’s signing ceremony was attended by the interim ICT Minister Belfor Fabio García Henao, the director for the Americas of the European External Action Service of the European Union (EU) Pelayo Castro Zuzuárregui, and the CAF representative in Colombia Rodrigo Peñailillo.
“This agreement, backed by this investment, can be the start of a larger cooperation agreement. It will allow us to further develop our connectivity and digital transformation. Thank you for your trust in Latin America and your commitment to the development of our region, as it will allow us to close the digital and social gaps and involve communities in the territories, which are making an appropriation of technology,” highlighted ICT Minister Henao.
We want a Colombia in which everyone has access to the digital world, and we will work together to make it a reality
European Union's Global Gateway Project
The project is part of the European Union's Global Gateway strategy and will have an initial duration of two years. As part of the agreement, participatory workshops will be held to ensure the inclusion of vulnerable populations, involving local actors and communities in the formulation of digital connectivity proposals aligned with the National Connectivity Plan. The workshops will evaluate technological alternatives, considering environmental, biodiversity, and climate change factors, among others.
As part of our Global Gateway sustainable and fair investment strategy, we are supporting Colombia on its path towards a digital transformation with shared values and focused on people.
“Connectivity drives development, investment and employment opportunities, but to achieve these results it has to reach the entire country, particularly the most remote regions and communities that suffer from digital divide situations. This is the added value of joining forces with the government, the private sector and multilateral banking. Only in this way will we be able to face the challenges of our time without leaving anyone behind," said EU’s Zuzuárregui.
Towards Colombia’s Sustainable and Equitable Digital Connectivity
Following the workshops, feasibility studies will analyze the technical, economic, environmental and gender dimensions, taking into account the assessments of local and national authorities, the private sector and civil society. This process will ensure that the initiatives are viable and comply with current regulatory and legal requirements, integrating a sustainable and equitable vision for the expansion of digital connectivity in the country.
This is a very special moment, as we face one of the most complex challenges: closing the gap.
“This commitment by the European Union to provide these funds is very important. It is an honor to be part of this project," added CAF’s Peñailillo.
Another major element of the agreement is the implementation of connectivity initiatives, which will test various technologies and strategies for accessing the internet in remote and difficult-to-access territories, such as Providencia Island. These tests, led by the ICT Ministry, will evaluate the effectiveness of different solutions and tailor digital infrastructure mechanisms to meet local requirements.
With this initiative, which will also launch digital skills training programs for vulnerable communities, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, CAF and the ICT Ministry reaffirm their commitment to digital inclusion and the sustainable development of the country, promoting connectivity that will make Colombia a digital power.
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