World Mobile brings Wi-Fi hotspots to Zanzibar

Blockchain network operator World Mobile is partnering with the Zanzibar eGovernment Agency to launch free metered Wi-Fi Internet access at public-facing government institutions.

This includes hotspots at all state agencies, ministries, local government offices, bus stops, the airport, ports, fish markets, municipal offices, municipal or state housing estates, hospitals and clinics.

World Mobile is the first blockchain mobile network powered and run by the people and fueled by World Mobile Token.

In the first 60 days of the project, the partnership will aim to connect the Zanzibar airport, ports and properties owned by the National Housing Corporation of Zanzibar within the main island of Unguja.

Zanzibar is the semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa, consisting of many small islands and two large ones. World Mobile is aiming to provide connectivity to all of Zanzibar's population by the end of 2023.

Blockchain ambitions

"Zanzibar is on its path to becoming Africa's blockchain hub, and we are thrilled to help make it a reality, sending ripple effects across the region. Together with IOG [Input Output Global], our efforts to connect the unconnected will enhance Zanzibar's economy in multiple ways," said Micky Watkins, World Mobile CEO.

This is the first stage of an ambitious partnership and five-year plan which aims to drastically boost Zanzibar's GDP.

The plan includes a Blockchain Centre of Excellence and an eGov solution providing digital identities and integration with government systems. There are also plans to revolutionize the Blue Economy and enhance how the local fishing economy works, and then take that enhanced business approach to other local industries.

"We are excited to shine a spotlight on Zanzibar's emerging potential as the technology and blockchain center of the future, starting with providing connectivity to people and businesses in the region. On this, we will build innovative new ways of conducting local government and boosting businesses, and we are looking forward to reaping the fruits of this spectacular initiative," added Said Seif Said, director general of Zanzibar's eGovernment Agency.

World Mobile CXO RJ Katunda said that the company also has an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar and has been given access to all government owned schools and educational institutions to install Internet connectivity.

"This will allow the schools to directly communicate through the EMIS system to the ministry and at the same time act as a World Mobile Node where the schools will earn a revenue share from all users connected to the node. This not only solves the connectivity issues for the schools, it also creates a new source of revenue for them," Katunda explained.

*Top image source: Abstract vector created by freepik - www.freepik.com.

— The Staff, Connecting Africa