In collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, Giga has launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select suppliers to enter a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for the provision of internet connectivity services to public schools to increase access to digital learning.
Only around 150 of the more than 10,000 schools in Sierra Leone have reliable access to the Internet. This means many students have no access to remote learning resources and limited opportunities to develop digital skills.
The Government of Sierra Leone joined Giga in 2019 to address this situation and give young people access to information, opportunity and choice. In close collaboration with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Giga is working to identify activities to provide affordable connectivity to schools that could provide Internet access to as many as 3 million people.
UNICEF Sierra Leone seeks to enter into Long–Term Agreements (LTAs) with qualified Internet Service Providers to provide innovative, reliable and affordable connectivity solutions to 120 or more schools with related maintenance services, and through a sustainable business model. There are four lots of 30 designated schools across the country. Bidders may be awarded up to a maximum of two of these lots. The LTAs are for a period of two years, renewable for one more year subject to satisfactory performance.
Solution providers are encouraged to apply
by 14 September 2021, 10:00 (UTC):
More about Giga:
Giga is a global UNICEF-ITU initiative which aims to connect every school to the internet, and connect young people to information, opportunity and choice.
Giga aims to expand broadband connectivity through its focus on four main pillars of work:
- Map: identifying the locations and connectivity status of every school and determining connectivity gaps;
- Connect: supporting the expansion of safe, secure, reliable, fit-for-purpose infrastructure to support future digital development needs;
- Finance: building affordable and sustainable country-specific models for finance, and
- Empower: deploying open-source digital solutions and ensure young people and communities leverage connectivity to reach their full potential.
Through Accelerate, Giga is connecting the first 1,000 schools in partner countries and exploring diverse technologies and business models to provide broadband connectivity solutions to schools and communities, in order to fast-track governments’ universal connectivity programs.