The Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Dr. Mamadou Tangara held a virtual meeting with Mr. Elon Musk, businessman and owner of the international company, Starlink. Currently, Starlink is offering services of a satellite internet constellation which is currently providing internet coverage to approximately 80 countries.
The two parties discussed ideas around bridging the digital divide, the harmonization of transformative opportunities of technologies as well as how to provide easy access to technologies for schools to deliver quality education in STEM. Furthermore, platforms for quality service delivery in other sectors and how Starlink can help accelerate social development as a way forward were also discussed.
Following this virtual meeting, Starlink Director of Global Licensing and Activation, Mr. Ben MacWilliams, met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara at his office in Banjul on 23rd July 2024. This is following Mr. MacWilliam’s meetings with the leadership of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Minister for Information who is currently overseeing the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
The two parties discussed issues around access to the internet and how it can be used to enhance service delivery in various sectors such as education, digital technologies, access to information and the internet.
Dr. Mamadou Tangara emphasized that it was a welcome initiative and would create significant opportunities for the young people in The Gambia to engage and take advantage of the various platforms supporting 21st-century economies. He also welcomed the idea of exploring emerging technologies to address key issues in the healthcare and education sectors. Furthermore, Dr. Tangara reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhance service delivery in various sectors.