New Subsea Cables Aim to Transform Africa's Connectivity Landscape

Africa’s connectivity landscape is undergoing a major transformation as new subsea fibre-optic cables (high-capacity internet cables laid on the ocean floor) expand digital access across the continent. Google plans to build four digital infrastructure hubs in the north, west, east, and south to connect its latest underwater systems, including the Equiano and Umoja cables.

The hubs, which combine landing stations and data centres, are expected within three years and could significantly lower broadband costs for telecom partners. The investment builds on Google’s US$1 billion Africa pledge from 2021, now surpassed with new funding.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is also funding a feasibility study to extend the Medusa submarine-cable system from the Mediterranean to Africa’s Atlantic coast—potentially boosting digital access for “hundreds of millions” across 22 countries. The project aims to diversify cable routes and reduce reliance on existing infrastructure.

These upgrades couldn’t come at a better time. Africa remains one of the least connected regions, with costly and fragile internet access.

Equiano alone is projected to boost Nigeria’s GDP by US$11.1 billion, South Africa’s by US$5.8 billion, and Namibia’s by US$290 million by 2025. Beyond faster speeds, these hubs lay the groundwork for regional data centres, cloud services, and AI-driven digital industries.

Still, subsea cables are now considered critical infrastructure, demanding stronger governance and regulation. To ensure Africa captures long-term value, the new hubs must link to terrestrial fibre, local data-centre networks, and workforce development.

Done right, this wave of investment could shift Africa from a passive consumer of bandwidth to an active player in the global digital economy.