2Africa Submarine Cable Enhances African Connectivity and Economic Growth

The 2Africa Submarine Cable: A Revolutionary Development for Africa's Connectivity

In a significant move to enhance digital connectivity within Africa and beyond, China Mobile International Limited (CMI) has announced the completion of the core infrastructure for the 2Africa submarine cable project, in partnership with several global entities such as Meta, Orange, and Vodafone. This extensive cable project is expected to be a game-changer in accelerating digital economic growth across the continent.

Over 45,000 Kilometers of Connectivity

Spanning more than 45,000 kilometers, 2Africa represents the first cable designed to continuously connect Africa's eastern and western regions within a single integrated system. It is constructed using an open-access model, allowing multiple service providers to utilize its infrastructure. This flexibility is expected to foster competition and reduce costs for consumers.

With a staggering design capacity of 180 terabits per second (Tbps), the cable connects 33+ countries and regions across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Estimates suggest that the project could contribute up to USD 36.9 billion to Africa's GDP within its initial operational years.

Enhancing Resource Allocation and Collaboration

Following the commissioning of key segments of the cable, CMI has optimized resource allocation routes along the Arabian Sea and Africa's eastern and western coasts, as well as in Europe. This includes creating synergies with high-capacity submarine cables like PEACE and Equiano, which collectively enhance a multi-ring network across Africa. CMI is capitalizing on network resources located in Djibouti, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and other regions, to solidify Africa's connectivity with the Eurasian landmass.

High-Bandwidth Solutions for Diverse Sectors

The 2Africa cable is designed to leverage its high-bandwidth and low-latency capabilities to synergize with CMI’s extensive infrastructure. With an existing network of over 100 submarine and terrestrial cables, 1,270+ data centers globally, and more than 380 points of presence (PoPs), CMI aims to deliver unprecedented disruption levels to various sectors in Africa, such as education, healthcare, and financial services. The initiative will drastically improve internet access and reliability, a crucial need in contemporary society.

Moreover, CMI has integrated this submarine cable project with its comprehensive mCloud cloud-network integration portal, offering enterprises an all-in-one package that ensures ease of access into the African and Middle Eastern markets. CMI’s approach is characterized by a focus on key industries including smart energy management and digital transformation of parks, directly tying into Africa’s growing technological needs.

A Vision for a Digitally Empowered Africa

Since 2015, CMI has been laying the groundwork for the sizable presence of digital infrastructure in Africa. With the launch of the 2Africa submarine cable, the company aims to further enrich the continent's network resources and facilitate high-quality connectivity that not only bridges the digital divide but also nurtures innovation-driven socio-economic growth.

As the digital landscape in Africa continues to evolve, CMI's commitment to enhancing the information infrastructure through large-scale projects like 2Africa ensures that the region is well-positioned for future advancements. The cable will foster partnerships, create jobs, and contribute to a more resilient digital economy across the continent, steadily moving Africa toward a future powered by digital intelligence.

The completion of the 2Africa Submarine Cable infrastructure marks a monumental step toward connecting communities, improving accessibility, and driving sustainable development across Africa, emphasizing the continent's potential as a burgeoning hub for digital innovation.

In summary, the 2Africa project represents a critical link between continents, ensuring that African nations are not just consumers of technology but also contributors to the global digital economy.