Djibouti, 4 February 2026
Djibouti Telecom, Ethio Telecom and Sudatel today signed a tripartite strategic agreement under the HORIZON Fiber Initiative, formalizing the next phase of implementation for a new high-capacity cross-border fiber corridor connecting Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan. This milestone advances regional connectivity, network resilience and diversified digital infrastructure beyond traditional subsea routes.
Download the Press Release (PDF) – full text from official press release added below:
Djibouti Telecom, Ethio telecom, and Sudatel Telecom Group have today signed a tripartite strategic agreement under the Horizon Fiber Initiative, marking a major milestone in regional digital connectivity through the deployment of cross-border multi-terabit optical fiber infrastructure.
The agreement enables the establishment of a high-capacity terrestrial fiber corridor connecting the Djibouti international submarine cable landing stations, through Ethiopia, and onward to Sudan’s landing stations, creating a resilient and scalable regional connectivity route linking East Africa and beyond.
This strategic collaboration is designed to enhance international bandwidth capacity, improve network resilience and redundancy, and support the rapidly growing demand for data, cloud, digital services, and cross-border connectivity across the region.
Through this initiative, the three operators will leverage their complementary infrastructure assets and operational expertise to deliver:
- Multi-terabit optical fiber capacity
- Carrier-grade, low-latency international connectivity
- Diversified and secure cross-border routes
- Improved service reliability for operators, enterprises, and hyperscalers
The Horizon initiative is the result of two years of deliberate, coordinated work toward a shared vision. The Contract is the result of in-depth discussions and culminates a process that began earlier in 2024 with MoU signature held in Addis Ababa on the 4th December 2024, driven by the technical teams of the three operators. They have been committed to this new infrastructure, designed to deliver faster and more reliable connectivity. This project is expected to play a crucial role in Africa’s digital transformation.
Together, they are setting a practical blueprint for how carriers can build scalable, high-availability routes that unlock new value for Africa’s digital economy and international customers alike. This milestone marks a pioneering Africa-to-Africa collaboration, connecting the Red Sea through three countries and offering a resilient route that demonstrates how regional cooperation can solve real-world connectivity challenges while laying the foundation for an integrated, future-ready digital infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, the CEOs of the partnering organizations emphasized that the Horizon Fiber Initiative reflects a shared commitment to regional cooperation, digital transformation, and the creation of a robust communications backbone that supports economic growth and digital inclusion.
Link to Official Press Release
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