By Ramatoulie Jawo
Hon. Alhagie Mbowe, the National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum, has called on the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Hon. Lamin Jabbi, to provide an update on the status of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and its role in enhancing rural connectivity.
Hon. Mbowe referenced the Information and Communication Act of 2009, which mandates the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to establish the Universal Service Fund. The fund is intended to finance projects aimed at improving telephone and internet services in areas that are not commercially viable for private sector investment. He requested clarification on whether the fund has been established and how it has contributed to bridging the digital divide in rural Gambia.
In response, Minister Jabbi explained that the primary objective of the Universal Service Fund is to connect underserved regions that are not commercially attractive for private investors. He acknowledged that full implementation of the fund has been delayed due to ongoing reforms and the review of the Information and Communication Act.
The Minister further outlined that in 2019, the existing Universal Access and Service Framework was updated and adopted by the Cabinet, though its implementation has yet to commence. He also shared that his ministry, in partnership with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), is working on the introduction of tariff monitoring and revenue assurance systems. These systems are crucial for the establishment of the USF and will provide greater transparency on operators’ revenue, ensuring accurate contributions to the fund based on their turnover.
Minister Jabbi also noted that the review of the Information and Communication Act has informed the drafting of a new Communications Bill, currently under review by the Ministry of Justice. Once enacted, this new bill will repeal the 2009 Information and Communication Act and facilitate the operationalization of the Universal Service Fund, with implementation expected to begin next year.
“These systems are prerequisite for the establishment of a universal access and service framework and will provide clearer visibility on operator’s revenue, enabling accurate contributions to the universal service fund based on their turnover additionally, the information communication act has been reviewed which informed the new communication bill and this bill currently at the ministry of justice for drafting will repeal the 2009 information act once passed as law and the ongoing reforms completed hopefully next year, this will pave the way for the universal service fund operationalization and implementation,” he explained.
The Minister further clarified that, at present, the Universal Service Fund has not been established, and no direct services have been implemented through it. However, he assured that once the fund becomes operational, it will enhance existing services and play a crucial role in narrowing access gaps and bridging the digital divide across the country.