GSMA partnered with Vodafone Ghana and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to connect rural areas in Rwanda through the deployment of innovative mobile internet connectivity solutions. The GSMA-led project will be implemented from July 2019 to late 2020 to finance the vendors of mobile network equipment to use innovative solutions aiming at fostering mobile operator efforts in Ghana. Through this project, imported equipment will be exempted from up to 30% tax in order to promote reinvestment and improve coverage extensions. "This collaboration is a pioneering, first-of-its-kind project that aims to connect unconnected communities in rural locations and deliver a range of essential digital services," said GSMA Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Akinwale Goodluck. The project targets rural areas with economic potential which were designated by GMSA through its coverage mapping tool. "As we explore this partnership to deliver connectivity for communities in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana, the last mile of connecting the unconnected will be achieved to create avenues for digital inclusiveness," noted GIFEC CEO Abraham Kofi Asante.