As of March 2024, the 2Africa submarine cable project has made significant strides toward enhancing global connectivity. This ambitious project, spanning 45,000 kilometers and connecting 33 countries across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, has reached several key milestones with multiple landings completed.
Key Milestones:
- Italy – Genoa: The first landing occurred in Genoa, Italy, in April 2022, marking the official start of this massive undertaking. This critical point has set the stage for more European landings.
- Djibouti – Ras Dika: In May 2022, Djibouti welcomed the 2Africa cable at Ras Dika, further positioning the nation as a strategic connectivity hub for East Africa.
- South Africa – Yzerfontein & Duynefontein: South Africa has seen two landings in December 2022, boosting its connectivity on the continent’s southern coast.
- Kenya – Mombasa: By December 2022, the project had extended its reach to East Africa with the Mombasa landing, significantly enhancing regional bandwidth.
- Recent Landings: The 2Africa cable landed in Ghana (October 2023) and Nigeria (February 2024), further solidifying West Africa’s connection to the global digital infrastructure.
Partnerships & Collaborations: The successful landings in key locations have been made possible through partnerships with local telecom providers such as Vodafone and Retelit in Italy, and regional landing partners across Africa. These collaborations ensure seamless integration into existing data centers, allowing for optimized digital infrastructure.
Impact on Connectivity: The 2Africa cable’s landings have already started reshaping connectivity in underserved regions, reducing latency, and enhancing internet accessibility for businesses and individuals. As the cable progresses, it is set to play a crucial role in accelerating Africa’s digital transformation by bridging the connectivity gap between continents.
With more landings scheduled in 2024, including in Portugal and Nigeria, 2Africa is on track to complete its mission of connecting 33 countries and delivering high-speed internet access to millions.