China aids Sierra Leone's fibre optic projectBy KEMO CHAM in Freetown | Wednesday, August 22   2012 at  16:56

The Chinese government has granted a $ 15 million loan to the Sierra Leonean government to finance fibre optic installation.

Once completed, the sub regional fibre cable will link 21 countries between Europe and Africa.

Known as Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) project, the  17,000-kilometre long submarine cable runs from France, through Portugal to West Africa down to Cape Town in South Africa.

The project is to benefit 18 African countries.

So far the project has consumed $31 million in funding from the World Bank.

According to Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister Samura Kamara, the Chinese loan will be used to complete the installation process.

The project is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of the year and will significantly reduce the cost of internet connections.

Project implementation will be done by Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.