Benin-based ISP Isocel has secured a loan of €6-million from French investment bank Bpifrance to expand its fibre optic network to more locations across the country’s economic hub, Greater Cotonou.

A statement from the company reads: “Isocel will deploy by the end of 2021, 500km of optical fibre in Benin through the implementation of the project called Isocel Next Generation Access Network (INGAN).”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

“With this project, Isocel is renewing its commitment to offer very high-speed internet in order to meet the increasingly growing demand for user bandwidth,” the operator stated.

It added that the project is in line with the government’s plan to develop and promote the digital sector in order to establish Benin as the digital hub of the sub-region.

“The company's goal is to acquire at least 10,000 subscribers over the next three-to-five years in addition to the 500 customers already served through the fibre optic network,” it added.

In April 2019, ITWeb Africa reported the launch of the first phase of its fibre optic network in Cotonou, during which it offered customers zero cost on the migration to fibre.

First announced in June 2018 and targeted at business and high-end residential customers, the project was expected to be completed in 2020, but has now been extended to 2021.

Robert Aouad, chief executive officer of Isocel Benin, said: “We will have teams on the ground going door-to-door so that we can clearly identify potential customers. We will not go to areas where there is not enough income to support the roll-out.”