IFC takes strides into Kyrgyzstan with ElCat investment

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is making its first investment into Kyrgyzstan in the form of a US$3 million loan to wholesale broadband operator ElCat.

As reported by TeleGeography, the investment is aimed at extending the reach of ElCat’s fibre network - which largely serves the corporate sector - to more remote and underserved regions of Kyrgyzstan in a bid to increase mobile and fixed broadband access.

ElCat CEO Ulan Tolubaev said: “With IFC’s funding, we plan to expand our network, improve affordability and increase access to high speed internet connectivity for households, businesses and public sites – schools, healthcare centres and government offices – including locations in remote parts of the country.”

The IFC is part of the World Bank Group.