Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) AFRICA | Africa | Transport & ICT Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Adaptable Program Loan | FY 2011 | Seq No: 9 | ARCHIVED on 30-Sep-2016 | ISR25070 | Implementing Agencies: Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Ministry of Information and Communications Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:20-Jan-2011 Effectiveness Date:29-Apr-2011 Planned Mid Term Review Date:09-Sep-2013 Actual Mid-Term Review Date:16-Dec-2013 Original Closing Date:30-Sep-2015 Revised Closing Date:30-Mar-2017 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) WARCIP seeks to increase the geographical reach of broadband networks and reducing the costs of communications services in West Africa. Under APL1-A, the objectives of the Projects,thus, are to increase the geographical reach of broadband networks and to reduce costs of communications services in the territory of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No PHRPDODEL Components Name Sierra Leone: Supporting Connectivity:(Cost $26.75 M) Sierra Leone: Creating an Enabling Environment for Connectivity:(Cost $2.93 M) Sierra Leone: Project Implementation:(Cost $1.32 M) Liberia: Supporting Connectivity:(Cost $20.40 M) Liberia: Creating and Enabling Environment for Connectivity:(Cost $3.66 M) Liberia: Project Implementation:(Cost $1.54 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory 9/30/2016 Page 1 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating  Substantial  Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions This ISR reflects findings for Liberia project only, based on supervision mission held in Monrovia on September 12-21, 2016. For Sierra Leone, the team will update the ISR following the next supervision mission to Freetown. 1. Liberia WARCIP The implementation of Liberia WARCIP has been highly satisfactory. With support from the project, high-speed internet has arrived for the first time in Liberia, through Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), an undersea internet cable. The arrival of ACE has displaced earlier use of costly and lower quality internet services in Liberia provided by satellite. On January 18, 2013, ACE went live in Liberia. The project has supported the setup of Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL), a public-private partnership, to manage day-to-day operations of ACE landing in Liberia. All international internet traffic in and out of Liberia now flows through CCL. The project has supported the government in further developing the ICT sector of Liberia. A universal access fund (UAF) has been set up in Liberia to extend internet services to remote and rural parts of the country. A repositioning study has been prepared for Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (Libtelco), the incumbent telecom operator in Liberia. A divestiture strategy to sell the government’s 55% stake in CCL has been completed. A feasibility study for the national backbone has been done. An open access regime for international internet traffic has been established. A project management office (PMO) for coordinating electronic government in Liberia has been setup. 2. Implementation Progress of Sierra Leone WARCIP The implementation of WARCIP Sierra Leone is proceeding Moderately Unsatisfactorily. However, following the two restructurings and the lifting of the suspension, progress has been effectively made. The international gateway has been liberalized. Since February 2016, six operators have paid the required gateway license fees, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) executed license documents before the deadline. As of April 1, 2016, four operators have signed their licenses and are operating international gateway facilities. A technical readiness assessment of the operators was completed by NATCOM to determine which specific operators would be in a position to begin routing their own international traffic. The NATCOM assessment found that there were no technical impediments for operators to launch their own gateways. Per the Government’s request, a Strategy TA will be financed under the project to support NATCOM address fundamental policy, regulatory, and strategic issues. To maximize what has been achieved, in the next 12 months, the PIU, MOIC and the Bank will focus on TA activities related to the preparation of a roadmap of the divestiture of SALCAB. A revised procurement plan and annual work plan 2016 have been agreed on to enable the PIU achieve these activities related to NATCOM’s and SALCAB’s activities. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance  --  Substantial  Substantial Macroeconomic  --  Substantial  Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies  --  Low  Low Technical Design of Project or Program  --  Moderate  Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability  --  Moderate  Moderate Fiduciary  --  Moderate  Moderate Environment and Social  --  Moderate  Moderate Stakeholders  --  Moderate  Moderate Other  --  --  -- 9/30/2016 Page 2 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Overall  --  Substantial  Substantial Results Project Development Objective Indicators PHINDPDOTBL  Volume of international traffic: International Communications (Internet, Telecoms, and Data) bandwidth per person (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0 -- -- 0 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Mar-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Volume of international traffic--International Communications (Internet, Telecoms, and Data) bandwidth per person (Text, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 1 2.93 35 40 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Volume of international traffic--International Communications (Internet, Telecoms, and Data) bandwidth per person (Text, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 3 3 3 40 Date 30-Nov-2010 15-Feb-2013 15-Feb-2013 30-Sep-2015 PHINDPDOTBL  Access to Internet Services (number of subscribers per 100 people) (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- -- 0.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Mar-2017 9/30/2016 Page 3 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Access to Internet Services (number of subscribers per 100 people) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 1.50 3.72 30.78 3.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Access to Internet Services (number of subscribers per 100 people) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.28 1.80 1.80 2.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 15-Feb-2013 15-Feb-2013 30-Sep-2015 PHINDPDOTBL  Access to Telephone Services (fixed mainlines plus cellular phones per 100 people) (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- -- 0.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Mar-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Access to Telephone Services (fixed mainlines plus cellular phones per 100 people) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 24.00 58.83 84.57 47.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Access to Telephone Services (fixed mainlines plus cellular phones per 100 people) (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 25.00 50.60 50.60 43.00 9/30/2016 Page 4 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Date 30-Nov-2010 15-Feb-2013 15-Feb-2013 30-Sep-2015 PHINDPDOTBL  Average monthly price of wholesale international E1 capacity link from capital city to Europe (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0 -- -- 0 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Mar-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Average monthly price of wholesale international E1 capacity link from capital city to Europe (Text, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value $8000 $2000 $750 less than $2000 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Average monthly price of wholesale international E1 capacity link from capital city to Europe (Text, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value $8000 $6000 $6000 $2000 Date 30-Nov-2010 15-Feb-2013 15-Feb-2013 30-Sep-2015 PHINDPDOTBL  Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Core) 9/30/2016 Page 5 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- -- 0.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Mar-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Female beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 45.00 45.83 38.75 50.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Female beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 43.00 -- -- 48.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Sep-2015 PHINDPDOTBL  Liberia: Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 700000.00 907470.00 2950000.00 1400000.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDPDOTBL  Sierra Leone: Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) 9/30/2016 Page 6 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2000000.00 -- -- 3200000.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 -- -- 30-Sep-2015 Overall Comments Intermediate Results Indicators PHINDIRITBL  Sierra Leone: Volume of available international capacity: International Communications (Internet, Voice) bandwidth (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.30 0.30 0.30 6.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 21-Nov-2012 21-Nov-2012 30-Sep-2015 PHINDIRITBL  Retail Price of Internet Services (per Mbit/s per Month, in US$) (Amount(USD), Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 1500.00 1500.00 1500.00 800.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 21-Nov-2012 21-Nov-2012 30-Sep-2015 PHINDIRITBL  Impact on Telecom sector of World Bank Technical Assistance (composite score: 1- low impact to 5-high impact) (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 20-Nov-2012 20-Nov-2012 30-Sep-2015 9/30/2016 Page 7 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) PHINDIRITBL  Liberia: Volume of available international capacity: International Communications (Internet, Voice) bandwidth (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.07 5.27 62.20 1.12 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDIRITBL  Retail Price of Internet Services (per Mbit/s per Month, in US$) (Amount(USD), Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 1200.00 1000.00 400.00 500.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 PHINDIRITBL  Impact on Telecom sector of World Bank Technical Assistance (composite score: 1- low impact to 5-high impact) (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.86 3.00 4.00 Date 30-Nov-2010 16-Dec-2013 27-Sep-2016 30-Sep-2016 Overall Comments Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P116273 IDA-48550 Effective XDR 16.30 16.30 0.00 16.00 0.30 98% P116273 IDA-48560 Effective XDR 19.80 19.80 0.00 18.71 1.09 95% Key Dates (by loan) 9/30/2016 Page 8 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (P116273) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P116273 IDA-48550 Effective 20-Jan-2011 08-Feb-2011 13-Jun-2011 30-Sep-2015 30-Sep-2016 P116273 IDA-48560 Effective 20-Jan-2011 14-Feb-2011 29-Apr-2011 30-Sep-2015 30-Mar-2017 Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 30-Sep-2015 ,Level 2 Approved on 30-Mar-2016 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 9/30/2016 Page 9 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy