Madagascar - Last Mile Initiative (MLMI)Name: Madagascar - Last Mile Initiative (MLMI) Information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in Madagascar is weak and primarily limited to urban areas. In rural areas more than 75% of the population and most civil society organizations (CSOs) do not have access to ICT services and are limited in communications and knowledge sharing efforts. The Last Mile Initiative (MLMI) is a global USAID initiative aimed to bring the benefits of the information age to rural populations by extending telecommunications infrastructure and access to the remote locations. Pact is applying an innovative strategy that combines modern technological solutions and effective business models to extend connectivity (internet and telephone) from existing networks to isolated areas. Partnerships with the private sector enable efficient, affordable service costs. In each of the two pilot zones of Moramanga in the region of Alaotra Mangoro and Ranomafana in the region of Vatovavy Fitovinany, community information centers are being created where local citizens can access telephone, photocopy, facsimile and the Internet. Additionally the centers organize public workshops and sessions on topics, such as the organizational and institutional development of local NGO and associations, development of the sales networks between the local farmers and consumers, and communications to improve quality of the health services. Pact has built close partnerships with the Ministry of Telecommunication, Postal and Communications/General Director for communication and Information Technology (MTPC/DGTIC) which implements all Malagasy Government programs related to the spread of ICT. Pact also encourages the involvement of local actors such as communes, private local businesses and CSOs (Sehatr'Asa Fampandrosoana /Fiangonan'I Jesoa Kristy eto Madagasikara, Fédération des Associations Femmes et Développement) as well as local development programs (USAID Eco-regional Alliance, Association Nationale Pour la Gestion des Aires Protégées, Project of Rural Development funded by Lutheran Church and Norway Fund, etc) to ensure synergies and project successes and sustainability.
United States Agency for International Development
Contact Person: Roland Ramamonjisoa, CTO
rramamonjisoa@usaid.gov
Staff contacts
For more information, please visit Pact Madagascar website http://www.pact.mg
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