#China #Hong Kong #China Mobile #submarine cable #2Africa

2Africa Submarine Cable's Infrastructure Completion

On November 19, 2025, China Mobile International Limited (CMI) announced the completion of the core infrastructure of the groundbreaking 2Africa submarine cable project. This ambitious initiative, developed in partnership with seven global collaborators—including Bayobab, center3, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC—marks a significant leap forward in Africa's telecommunications landscape.

A Game-Changer for Connectivity

The 2Africa submarine cable is no ordinary undertaking. It is designed to encircle the African continent, linking intercontinental nodes in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Spanning over 45,000 kilometers, this cable provides connectivity to more than 33 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe and Asia. With a colossal design capacity of 180 terabits per second (Tbps), it promises to revolutionize digital communications in the region.

According to economic projections, the 2Africa cable is estimated to contribute as much as USD 36.9 billion to Africa's GDP within the first few years of its operation. Such figures highlight the critical role that enhanced connectivity can play in driving economic growth and development across the continent.

Leveraging Technology for Better Access

The 2Africa project is the first of its kind to create a continuous link between Africa's eastern and western regions through a single system. It adopts an open-access model, allowing various stakeholders to utilize the cable's infrastructure, thus promoting equity in access and minimizing costs.

With this newly established connectivity, CMI has optimized resource allocation along key regions like the Arabian Sea, the eastern and western coasts of Africa, and Europe. Additionally, synergies with other high-capacity submarine cables in these areas—such as PEACE and Equiano—are expected to enhance the service delivery across the continent.

Comprehensive Network Solutions

The integration of the 2Africa cable with existing networks is poised to establish a robust multi-ring network to cover the African region more comprehensively. CMI's strategic investments in locations like Djibouti, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria indicate a long-term commitment to enhancing connectivity and user experience.

Complementing the submarine cable network are various terrestrial connections and points of presence (PoP) to ensure high-capacity bandwidth limits are met and maintained. This infrastructure will support a variety of services, including high-quality international private lines, cloud services, and interconnection solutions tailored for diverse industries in Africa.

Driving Digital Transformation in Africa

With the deployment of the 2Africa submarine cable, CMI aims to create a ripple effect that accelerates digital transformation across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and financial services. Improved connectivity is integral to facilitating the digital economy's expansion and fostering more significant technological adoption in these sectors.

CMI’s focus on areas such as AI-powered solutions for energy management and urban development sectors is indicative of a shift towards intelligent, data-driven solutions that can greatly benefit African markets. The company's commitment to tapping into the African market since 2015 has yielded a comprehensive digital infrastructure that now elevates service quality across various domains.

Conclusion: A Future Powered by Connectivity

As we move forward, CMI is poised to continue leveraging projects like the 2Africa submarine cable to implement robust information infrastructure systems throughout Africa. This strategic focus aims to offer unparalleled digital and intelligent solutions, which promise to spur the vigorous growth of Africa’s digital economy for years to come. The completion of the 2Africa project represents not just a new chapter for connectivity, but a transformative leap towards a digitally enabled future for the African continent.