Nigeria has reached a historic milestone in its digital infrastructure with the arrival of Meta’s 2Africa subsea cable, spanning an impressive 45,000 kilometers. The cable, which recently made landfall in Lagos State and Akwa Ibom State, marks a significant leap forward in Africa’s connectivity landscape, promising to bolster economic development and enhance broadband penetration across the continent.
The ambitious project, undertaken by Meta in collaboration with partners such as Bayobab and MTN Opco’s, aims to connect 32 African countries, providing crucial support for the expansion of 4G and 5G networks. The cable’s arrival in Nigeria signals a major step towards realizing this vision, with the potential to bring digital services to millions of individuals and businesses.
Bayobab, a pan-African digital connectivity solutions provider, played a pivotal role in landing the subsea cable at strategic locations in Lagos and Akwa Ibom. According to reports from Guardian Nigeria, the cable’s landing sites in Mopo-Onibeju Lekki and Ibeno represent key entry points for enhanced connectivity and data transmission.
Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab, emphasized the significance of the cable’s landing, noting that it represents a crucial milestone in the 2Africa initiative’s journey. With Nigeria now connected to the global digital ecosystem, opportunities abound for fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and empowering communities across the country.
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Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director of Bayobab Nigeria, highlighted the transformative impact of the subsea cable on Nigeria’s digital economy. Sarouk underscored the importance of meeting the growing demand for digital services, including fintech, IoT, AI, and e-learning, by providing robust and resilient infrastructure.
The consortium behind the 2Africa subsea cable, comprising Meta, China Mobile International, MTN Global Connect, Orange, Vodafone, Egypt Telecom, Saudi Telecom Company, and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company, underscores the collaborative effort driving this groundbreaking initiative. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology and industry expertise, the consortium aims to revolutionize connectivity in the region, paving the way for unprecedented socio-economic development.
As Nigeria celebrates this monumental achievement, stakeholders express optimism about the future of digital connectivity in Africa. With the 2Africa subsea cable poised to unleash a new era of innovation and growth, Nigeria stands ready to harness the full potential of the digital revolution.
