- 2Africa consortium has laid the world’s largest submarine cable project off the coast of Muanda in the DRC.
- The cable will connect 33 countries and enhance internet connectivity globally, offering economic potential across Africa, Asia, and Europe
- Facebook parent firm Meta is a key stakeholder and partner in the project that is advancing digital inclusion and development in the region.
A huge milestone in the world of telecoms was marked on September 21st. This is the day when the 2Africa consortium, consisting of major telecom operators such as China Mobile International, Bayobab (formerly MTN Global Connect), Orange, center3 (formerly stc), Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, and WIOCC, successfully laid the 2Africa submarine cable off the coast of Muanda in the Kongo-Central province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This achievement, facilitated by collaboration with Meta (formerly Facebook), heralds the arrival of the world’s largest submarine cable project, poised to connect 33 countries and drastically enhance internet connectivity.
The 2Africa cable project, accessible at 2AfricaCable.net, will enhance Internet services globally by providing faster and more reliable connectivity to every country it touches.
2Africa cable offers enormous economic potential
Its footprint spans three continents – Africa, Asia, and Europe – offering economic potential that could multiply tenfold. This vast connectivity promises to stimulate data transfer capabilities and catalyze business opportunities not only in the DRC but across the African continent.
The cable’s landing in Muanda follows earlier successful landings in African locations, including Port Said in Egypt, Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, and Nacala in Mozambique.
The cable will interlink more than three billion individuals across these three continents, ushering in a new era of digital access and commerce.
In the DRC, Mawezi RDC SA, a partnership between Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC SA, assumes the role of the landing partner for the 2Africa submarine cable.
This entails securing the necessary authorizations for cable landing, constructing the landing station, and operating it in an open-access manner, allowing all Internet service providers to harness the enhanced international capacities offered by the cable.
This achievement is a pivotal moment for the 2Africa project in the DRC, positioning the country on the digital transformation map and establishing a vital connection to the global digital landscape.
Meta advancing digital inclusion
Meta, as a key stakeholder, has been the primary investor in planning and preparing for the cable’s arrival and operation in the DRC. This partnership reflects Meta’s commitment to advancing digital inclusion and development in the region.
Laetitia Molasoko N’Singa, Managing Director of Mawezi RDC SA, said, “I am extremely proud to see this project come to life. It will improve access to broadband Internet and accelerate the ambitions of His Excellency Mr. Felix Antoine Tshisekedi’s National Digital Plan.”
Through this strategic partnership, Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC SA reaffirm their dedication to fostering digital inclusion and promoting the overall development of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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The 2Africa Project
The 2Africa project, set for completion in 2024, will become one of the world’s most expansive subsea cable undertakings. It connects Europe, Asia, and Africa. Spanning an 45,000 kilometers, this system will deliver a combined capacity that surpasses the entirety of existing subsea cables dedicated to serving the Africa.
Boasting 16 fiber-pairs and a design capacity of up to 180 terabits per second (Tbps), 2Africa will establish connections across 33 countries through 46 landing points. Its massive infrastructure will revolutionize global connectivity, offering fast, secure, and cost-efficient communication channels to more than 3 billion individuals.
The significance of 2Africa extends far beyond the mere establishment of physical connections. It promises to address the pressing need for increased internet capacity and reliability across extensive regions of Africa.
Additionally, it will play a pivotal role in meeting the surging demand for capacity in the Middle East. Further, it will serve as a foundational pillar supporting the continued expansion of 4G and 5G networks, as well as facilitating the growth of fixed broadband access.
In essence, 2Africa represents a huge step towards bridging the digital divide, fostering economic development, and enabling seamless communication on a truly global scale.
The establishment of this vast subsea cable network not only bolsters global connectivity but also paves the way for enhanced collaboration, innovation, and progress in the digital age. With its immense capacity and expansive reach, 2Africa is poised to be a transformative force in the realm of telecoms, empowering individuals and nations to harness the full potential of the digital era.
