Johannesburg, South Africa — In a significant move to bolster Africa’s digital infrastructure, French telecom giant Orange has unveiled the Via Africa project, a 20,000-kilometre subsea cable set to redefine connectivity between Africa and Europe. Scheduled for completion by May 2026, this ambitious project will directly connect Nigeria and several other African nations to Europe via the Atlantic corridor.
The Via Africa cable is strategically designed to enhance the resilience of West Africa’s international connectivity, mitigating the continent’s reliance on vulnerable internet routes. This development comes at a pivotal moment as Africa’s digital economy surges, fuelled by the growing demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, and digital services. Orange’s statement emphasizes Nigeria’s central role in this digital infrastructure race, highlighting the country’s existing network of submarine cables, which includes Google’s Equiano cable and the Meta-backed 2Africa network.
Despite these investments, internet disruptions remain a persistent issue across West Africa, underscoring the urgency of the Via Africa project.
The new cable system, which is expected to be one of the longest subsea cable systems in Africa, is poised to stimulate economic growth by attracting investments from hyperscalers, cloud firms, and data centers.
The frequency of internet outages in Africa has underscored the critical need for a more resilient digital infrastructure. Industry experts anticipate that the Via Africa cable will provide alternative routes, reducing disruptions and ensuring stronger network resilience across the region.
The project is being developed by a consortium led by Orange, including Canalink, GUILAB, International Mauritania Telecom, Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Sonatel, Silverlinks, and other key industry players.
As the continent integrates further into the global digital economy, initiatives like the Via Africa cable are vital for ensuring seamless connectivity and fostering technological advancements. This project is a testament to Orange’s commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation and is expected to attract further attention and investment, contributing to the continent’s economic growth and development.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Ayodeji Adegboyega
