Meta, in partnership with leading global and regional telecom providers, has announced the completion and activation of the central 2Africa subsea cable system. This also happens to the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system.
The infrastructure, created in collaboration with Bayobab (MTN Group), Orange, center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, is expected to transform internet access for more than 3 billion people over the next decade, including Africa’s 1.4 billion population.
Meta states that the cable, connecting three continents and 33 countries, is now the longest open-access subsea cable globally and the first to connect East and West Africa in a continuous loop, linking Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe.
The 2Africa system is designed to deliver more subsea capacity than all existing African undersea cables combined, aiming to boost Africa’s internet infrastructure and usher in a new era of faster, more reliable, and cost-effective connectivity.
The technology that powers 2Africa promises significant advances for consumers, businesses, and governmental institutions, as well as laying the framework for next-generation cloud and AI-powered services.
Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey, stated that the completion of 2Africa is a monumental achievement which is not just for Meta alone but for the entire continent at large.
He also said that the project demonstrates what’s possible when vision, investment and collaboration come together unlocking new opportunities for millions of Africans, empowering businesses and helping to accelerate economic growth.
Meta stated that the program underscores its long-term commitment to Africa’s digital transformation, particularly as the continent prepares for AI-driven economic growth and digital inclusivity.
With the partnership between sectors and countries, the 2Africa consortium brings together public and private sector expertise, demonstrating how cross-border collaboration can build infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.
With the core system operational, millions of Africans are projected to benefit from faster internet speeds, increased network dependability, and expanded access to online services.
Businesses stand to benefit from increased connectivity, which will improve innovation, competitiveness, and cross-border digital trade.
Senior government and regulatory officials from around the continent attended the inaugural ceremony, including the DRC’s Minister of Post, Telecoms and Digital Economy, Hon. Jose Mpanda Kabangu, as well as regulators from Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, and others. Kenyan and Nigerian officials also attended the ceremony.
Meta’s VP, Network Investments, Alex-Handrah Aime stated that the completing the core 2Africa system is a milestone for open, reliable capacity spanning three continents.
“We built 2Africa as an open system to allow more providers to connect, enabling individuals and businesses to access faster, more reliable service. Behind the scenes, it’s engineered for scalability and reliability to support the next generation of cloud and AI-driven experiences,” he explained.
Earlier this year, precisely in February, it is good to know that MTN Group’s Bayobab was one of Meta’s partners that announced the arrival of the 2Africa Cable in Nigeria in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, with a landing station in the Mopo-Onibeju Lekki region of Lagos.
This adds to the number of important underwater cables that have arrived in Nigeria, including MainOne, SAT-3, Glo-2, ACE, WACS, Equiano, and the Nigeria Cameroon Submarine Cable System (NCSCS).
These cables connect the country to global internet backbones, promoting economic development by increasing digital connection.
The completion of the core system is a crucial step towards reducing the digital gap and meeting future needs for online services and AI.
The project also on the other hand intends to lower wholesale bandwidth prices which will also enhance internet access, and contribute $36.9 billion to Africa’s GDP through job creation and digital innovation.