Infrastructure Past, Present, and Future Casebook/2Africa Cable

Introduction

This Wikibook page features a case study on the international 2Africa submarine telecommunication cable, conducted by Fatima Omarjee-Chavez, Leslie Hernandez, Saida Ladhari, and Wali Qureshi. This project is integrated into the GOVT 490 (Section) and CEIE 499 Spring 2025, Infrastructure Past, Present, and Future at George Mason University. Supervised and instructed by Professor Jonathon Gifford.

Summary

Map of 2Africa cable and Landing stations

The 2Africa Cable is the longest subsea cable system in the world, spanning over 45,000 kilometers and connecting 33 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. A subsea cable is a large fiber optic cable, typically one large cable made up of an array of smaller fiber optic cables, that is laid across the ocean floor with several landing points where the cable comes ashore and connects to data centers. It uses fiber optic technology to send light signals to transmit massive amounts of data at high speeds. Subsea cables facilitate the transfer of internet traffic and telecommunications across international waters. The 2Africa Cable wraps around the African continent with several landing points in Asia and Europe and the Middle East. The cable can transmit data at 180 terabits per second (Tbps). Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) was granted the responsibility of construction for the project. The advanced engineering of the 2Africa cable provides enhanced internet connectivity, reliable digital infrastructure, and opportunities for online commerce for billions of people around the world.

The project is funded by a consortium of global tech and telecommunication corporations around the world seeking to connect over 3 billion people across three continents. Meta, China Mobile International Limited (CMI), Orange, Bayobab, STC, TelecomEgypt, Vodafone Business, and West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) are the primary partners of the project. These companies are working together together along with local landing station partners to complete the 2Africa Cable. First announced in 2020, the 2Africa cable had its first landing point established in 2022 at Genoa, Italy. The subsea cable became operational in 2023 and has since been largely completed. There are still a few more branch landing stations to be connected within the next 2 years.

The billion-dollar project is estimated to increase the total GDP and economic impact for African countries by tens of billions within the first 2 to 3 years. There are several concerns for 2Africa including environmental impact, questions on equitability, and lack of transparency. The 2Africa project is a monumental feat of physical infrastructure made for the digital world. Its global impact offers valuable insights and lessons for the world to learn from heading into the future of global digital connectivity.

Actors and Institutional Arrangements

Meta, the primary actor for the 2Africa Cable

The key actor for the 2Africa cable is Meta (formerly Facebook), because of its strategic interest in expanding global internet connectivity, especially in areas that are underserved (like Africa). By leading this venture, Meta reduces infrastructure dependency on third-party telecom providers for data traffic, which in turn better positions Meta to dominate the digital ecosystems in African markets. Meta is not the sole actor in this massive project, through Public-Private partnerships and a consortium model, collaboration with local and international telecom firms helps spread costs and risks, while compiling additional technical expertise. This approach has been a part of a trend where tech giants (GAFAM - Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft) directly invest in undersea cable projects to control network infrastructure.

Landing station partners are local operators who ensure smooth integration with the greater networks. The local telecom companies are in 33 countries with 46 landing points

China Mobile International (CTM) Offers their customers seamless connection between Africa and Europe, and with their other subsea cables, further extends to Asia. Jessica Gu, director and CTO states, “the utmost capacity and faster transmission allows us to satisfy the needs of African nations today and in the future, reflecting our firm commitment to building a global digital life.” CTM aims to increase market reach and facilitate cross-border digital traffic between Asia and Africa.

Bayobab manages local landing points and provides mobile network access across Africa. Bayobab reduces their operating costs by using the high-capacity submarine cable for long-distance traffic.

Orange facilitates landing operations and extends broadband capacity to Francophone Africa and Europe (countries in these continents where French is widely spoken). Orange aims to strengthen its position as a leading telecom provider in Africa.

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) enables connections between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. STC supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 (program to increase diversification economically, socially, and culturally) by enhancing digital infrastructure and boosts regional connectivity.

Telecom Egypt operates key landing stations in Egypt, which is vital in connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia. Leverages its geographic position to promote Egypt as a global digital hub.

Vodafone Business provides global expertise and manages landing stations in Europe and southern Africa. The British telecommunications aims to strengthen its influence in Africa’s digital economy.

West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) manages landing points in Africa and enables connectivity. WIOCC is focused on increasing broadband capacity and affordability across Africa.

National governments where the 2Africa cable services also play a key role by issuing permits for landing stations, regulating operations, and ensuring that national telecommunication policies are followed. Key countries involved: Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and European countries like the UK, Spain, and Portugal.

Key Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities that oversee the telecom infrastructure and data protection: National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) for Egypt, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK).

International and Regional Regulatory Entities involved are the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) who are a part of the digital policies and regulations.

The U.S. Government has indirect influence on the project through the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Team Telecom (DOJ and Homeland Security), in order to monitor the national security risks of undersea cables that involve the U.S. firm Meta.

Timeline

1. May 14th 2020 - Partnering companies announce the launch of the 2Africa Cable.
2. September 28th, 2021 - 2Africa consortium announce the addition of the 2Africa PEARLS branch. The branch will connect Pakistan, India, and the Arabian Gulf. The extension officially makes the 2Africa cable the longest cable in the world and will service an additional 1.8 Billion people in the Middle East and South Asia.
3. April 13th,  2022- The 2Africa landing party in Genoa, Italy partnered with Equinix for a cable landing at the Equinix Neutral Data Center (CNDC). Equinix partnered with Vodafone to open Genoa’s first world-class carrier-neutral data center (GN1). GN1 serves as a strategic gateway for the 2Africa subsea cable system Its main purpose was to connect Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
4. May 12th, 2022- The 2Africa cable submarine landed in Djibouti, Ras Dika partnering with Djibouti telecom. An event took place at Siesta Beach under the auspices of Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon, the Minister of Communication in charge of telecommunications, along with several representatives from Djibouti Telecom.
5. May 15th, 2022- 2Africa Lands in Berbera, Somaliland. Networking with the Somaliland Cable Network (Socamble) a private internet service based in the capital of Somaliland. Socamble adopts an open access policy and endeavors to appeal to other submarine cables to land in Barbera, which is considered a strategic location for the Horn of Africa.
6. October 1st, 2022- 2Africa lands in Egypt precisely in the Suez and Zafarana areas. Through Telecom Egypt (TE) the submarine landed at two cable landing stations which were built specifically for 2Africa to provide new terrestrial crossing routes linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The first Port Said cable landing station (CLS) is located 250 kilometers east of Alexandria on the Mediterranean side. The Red Seaside was located in Ras Ghareb CLS 100 kilometers south of Zafarana.
7. October 25th, 2022- Meta’s 2Africa submarine cable lands in Spain, through Barcelona’s CLS as a key hub. Located in Sant Adria de Besos, East of Barcelona, partnering with ARF-IX telecom, an African telecom company.
8. November 6th, 2022- On Sunday the subsea cable lands in France, Marseille. Networking with Vodafone the leading partner of 2Africa cable in Marseille. This location holds great significance as it enhances the city’s position as a data exchange hotspot.
9. December 6th and 8th, 2022 - The 2Africa subsea cable reaches Yzerfontein, South Africa collaborating with MTN Global Connect (Now Bayobab). On the 8th, the cable landed in Duynefontein. MTN Global Connect worked with its subsidiary MTN South Africa as the landing party in both Duynefontein and Yzerfontein.
10. January 4th and 6th 2022 - Center3 implements the 2Africa submarine cable in Saudi Arabia in both Jeddah and Yanbu. Center3 is a thriving digital infrastructure company and a newly formed subsidiary of STC.
11. January 28th, 2023 - The 2Africa Subsea cable lands in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam cable landing station through Airtel Telesonic. The company was successful in linking the 2Africa submarine cable System with Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
12. January 21st, 2023 - The subsea cable system lands in Mozambique, Maputo. Vodacom is the landing partner in Mozambique, which facilitated the cable landing at the iColo MPM1 data center in Maputo located at the Nacala CLS.
13. February 5th, 2023 - 2Africa submarine cable reached the shores of Madagascar, landing in Mahajanga. Through Vodafone and Telma a Madagascan operator.
14. April 20th, 2023 - 2Africa partners with Vodafone and Intelvision to secure a landing in Seychelles, Anse.
15. July 30th, 2023 - The 2Africa subsea cable landed in Angola, reaching Cacuaco Beach in Luanda. The cable service will be facilitated by the Angolan mobile operator, Uniel.
16. August 17th, 2023 - The 2Africa cable landed in Pointe Noire, in Congo. 2Africa was the second cable to land in the Republic of Congo. The West Africa Cable system landed in 2012, which connects South Africa to the United Kingdom. Owned by similar telecom services such as Vodafone and Congo Telecom.
17. September 21st, 2023 - The 2Africa project landed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Mawezi. The 2Africa cable partnered with Orange DRC and Airtel Congo to enhance connectivity through Mawesi RDC SA, a company formed through a partnership between Orange DRC and Airtel Congo RDC SA. This collaboration facilitates operations by building landing stations and operates as an open-access model.
18. October 27th, 2023 - Bayobab, the 2Africa cable landing party in Ghana announces successful landing on Accra shores.
19. February 7th, 2024 - The 2Africa subsea cable has been successfully deployed in Nigeria, particularly in the Lekki region of Lagos. The landing was announced by Bayobab, the African digital connectivity company.
20. Present Day - While the 2Africa cable is operational, there are still landing sites that have yet to be connected. Many PEARLS branch sites are set to be connected in 2025 and 2026.

Funding and Finances

The 2Africa Cable project is financially funded by a consortium of global partners. The consortium includes eight members, namely, CMI, Meta, MTN GlobalConnect, Orange, stc (center3), Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, and WIOCC. While specific funding details for some members remain undisclosed, notable investments have been made. stc (center3) has committed $300 million to the project as part of its strategy to expand its international footprint. MTN GlobalConnect anticipates generating up to $1 billion in revenue, though its direct investment in the cable remains unspecified. WIOCC has invested over $500 million in Africa’s digital infrastructure, but the exact allocation for 2Africa is unclear. Orange has revealed a broader $1 billion investment in high-performance networks across Africa and the Middle East, though it has not detailed its contribution to this specific initiative. Despite the lack of full transparency regarding individual financial commitments, the 2Africa Cable project is projected to deliver a significant economic impact, estimated between $26.4 billion and $36.9 billion within two to three years of commencing operations in 2023/24.

Policy Issues

Submarine cable ashore

Land Acquisition - The 46 cable landing stations across 33 countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe all have their own land acquisition processes. Securing land for these stations involves negotiations with governments, local communities, and private landowners. The varying processes can cause delays for the project, some countries have stricter property laws and permits; whereas, others may lack clear policies. For example, Transworld Associates (TWA) is a provider based in Pakistan serving as a backbone for IP connectivity in Pakistan. TWA negotiated with the government to land the cable in Karachi, integrating it into the country’s existing network. As a result of the economic growth the subsea cable brings, countries benefit from adding landing stations.

Data Privacy and Protection - As the primary developer, Meta holds direct ownership over critical components of the system. This paints a concerning picture over digital sovereignty in African, Middle Eastern and South Asian countries that lack advanced technological infrastructure. Meta’s leadership in this project creates opportunities for unauthorized data access and further entrenches its dominance in global data transmission. The 2Africa digital infrastructure project facilitates vast amounts of data flow through undersea cable networks, enabling wealthy corporations like Meta to exploit nations with less awareness of data privacy and protection, and weaker data security management systems. Therefore, regulatory measures will have to be enforced to protect sensitive information and ensure that countries and users retain control over the data generated within their territories.

Environmental - Before subsea cables are laid on the seabed, a series of rigorous, environmentally sensitive procedures are conducted offsite to minimize ecological impact. This phase of the project focuses on charting the most efficient route while avoiding restricted areas and seabed irregularities. Additionally, thorough environmental assessments are carried out to ensure that any disturbances to the marine ecosystem are minimal and temporary.

Key Lessons and Takeaways

Subsea cable diagram

Importance of International Cooperation in Infrastructure Development - The construction and successful completion of the 2Africa cable is a testament to the value of international cooperation. The project brought together actors from different countries and industries together to work towards the cable’s construction. Leveraging the diverse conglomeration of expertise and resources, allowed for a project of this scale and magnitude to come to fruition.

Technological Innovations to Connect to the World - The gap in accessibility to technology in many countries around the world poses a significant challenge. Innovations are key to providing reliable high speed internet access to communities that have not had that luxury. The 2Africa cable is the longest in the world at around 45,000 km, and is one of the first subsea cables to utilize Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM1). SDM1 allows for more data traffic to flow through the cable fibers at speeds up to 180 terabits/s. The Sustainable Developement Goals set by the United Nations include acheiving universal and affordable internet access. While the goal was not met in 2020, the innovations of the 2Africa cable can directly benefit over 3 billion people around the world, bringing the world closer to that global acheivement.

Economic Impacts of Digital Access - Enhanced internet connectivity naturally promotes economic productivity in a technology driven world economy. The 2Africa cable gives tech companies the leeway to access markets with demand for high-performance data connectivity and cloud services. Additionally, companies in Africa will benefit from reliable internet connection to broaden their markets and further take advantage of opportunities in the e-commerce industry.

Digital Colonialism and the Importance of Infrastructure Transparency - Major tech corporations can influence communities around the world, particularly in developing countries through their control of data and technology infrastructure. While projects abroad are often framed as advancing global connectivity, they may also perpetuate inequitable investments that can underserve and inaccurately address the community’s needs.  Infrastructure projects in developing countries can limit local control and form dependencies that are reminiscent of colonial history. To ensure equitable outcomes that benefit all, it is important for large corporations to prioritize transparency and accountability. Corporations should engage with local communities and stakeholders to establish infrastructure projects that are economically sustainable and beneficial for all parties.

Discussion Questions

• What responsibility do large tech corporations have in addressing social and economic inequities in local communities when developing infrastructure projects abroad?
• How can African governments ensure that the 2Africa cable serves local interests rather than reinforcing foreign technological dominance?
• How can the involvement of multiple stakeholders impact the long-term success of the 2Africa cable, and what challenges might arise from having so many different interests involved?
• How does a lack of financial transparency affect the project's success, public trust, and accountability for equitable access and sustainability?