This was disclosed by Seedy Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, while delivering the 2024 budget at the National Assembly.
This, he added, is a move to offshoot research and innovation for employment creation and local development in ICTs.
He revealed that MoCDE is currently finalising the Cybercrime Bill as well as the Data Protection and Privacy Bill 2023 to safeguard the Gambia’s cyberspace, and to ensure a resilient digital transformation process.
“Both bills are expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for enactment by the end of 2023. In addition, the Ministry plans to roll out advanced cybersecurity and cybercrime training and has identified the Formulation of a Cybersecurity Regulatory Framework as a priority intervention in 2024.”
The Finance Minister also added that in an effort to revitalise and reposition GAMTEL/GAMCEL, the Ministry is drafting a National Fibre Protection Policy to address the network interruptions caused by frequent cuts on the national fibre backbone.
“The Government is supporting GAMTEL’s network upgrade and expansion initiatives geared towards enhancing inclusivity, providing adequate redundancy, and building resilience. To achieve this, the Government will restructure GAMTEL and privatise GAMCEL in a bid to attract and induce the much- needed capital to help revive the sector and restore its competitiveness.”
“Furthermore, MoCDE is prioritising the development of a comprehensive National Postal Service Policy and Strategy, along with a thorough review of the existing Postal Service Act to ensure it is up-to-date and entails modern-day realities of postal services.”
In accelerating The Digital Terrestrial Transmission Process, he said the Ministry continues to intensify resource mobilisation efforts for the deployment of a robust platform that will anchor the digital migration process, ensure nationwide coverage, and provide better- quality television transmission.
