Madagascar restores digital infrastructure after Gezani disaster

by MARIO RAJOMAZANDRY
ANTANANARIVO, (CAJ News) – MADAGASCAR is prioritising connectivity in public higher education as it recovers from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gezani, which struck in February.

The eastern coast was the epicentre of the weather phenomenon, with the Public University of Barikadimy in Toamasina the worst affected.

Before the disaster, students already relied heavily on the university library for free internet access.

Cybercafés are considered costly.

Students also had to travel long distances, again at a cost, to access cheaper internet and charge gadgets.

The World Bank-supported Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar (DECIM) Project, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Posts and Telecommunications, is addressing the crisis.

Four solar-powered digital hubs have been installed close to where students live and study.

The rollout is designed for resilience, with each hub bringing together electricity, connectivity and modern learning spaces.

Each hub is equipped with 25 internet-connected computers, free high-speed Wi-Fi and safe, shared workspaces for students.

Together with community Wi-Fi at the university library, the system now allows up to 5 000 students to reconnect simultaneously.

The dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot at the library now supports up to 1 000 simultaneous connections within a 100-metre radius.

To help restore continuity, more than 3 300 smartphones, each paired with a solar kit, have been distributed, including 2 500 kits for students and 815 for professors and administrative staff.

Each smartphone comes with a free 4G SIM card valid for six months.

“We are ensuring that even in the face of climate shocks, education, innovation and opportunity continue, especially for youth,” said Mahefa Andriamampianina, Minister of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Posts and Telecommunications.

Baidy Touré Sy, World Bank Digital Specialist and Task Team Leader for DECIM, said, “What we are building here — digital hubs, clean energy and connectivity — is a vision for the future, one that can be replicated anywhere crisis threatens learning.”

Gezani left 63 people dead and more than 800 injured in the Indian Ocean island nation.

– CAJ News