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JUNE, 2022
ICT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS Communications by Sea – Has Namibia progressed? AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila Economist @ RDJ Consulting
Subsea Cables (Courtesy: https://www.submarinecablemap.com)
A
frica is undeniably one of the most important growth markets in the world embracing digital transformation enabled by resurgent economic progress. Blue economy provides support via its access for subsea cables and is integral in the service delivery of telecommunications similar to when it was when society originally depended on satellite transmissions. When we speaking about submarine cabling for Africa, there are numerous cables landing in Africa but the Equiano subsea cable takes centre stage.
for growth in subsea connectivity. One of the most important lines is the “Equiano” cable, named after Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist Olaudah Equiano.
This cabling promises to create improved high-speed and affordable internet access to millions of people in the continent and West Africa. A joint statement by the Togolese government and Google.
AFRICA “Submarine Cable Networks” indicates that 38 out of the 54 African countries currently recognized by United Nations have a coastline, while the remaining 16 countries are land locked. Out of these 38 countries, 37 countries had at least one subsea cable landing, 11 countries had only 1 subsea cable, 10 countries had 2 subsea cables, 6 had 3 subsea cables, and 10 had more than 3. With 37 out of 54 countries in Africa having at least one submarine cable landing, it is evident that Africa has great potential
The Equiano cable system is one of three private international cables owned by Google and the 14th subsea cable invested in by Google. Equiano connects Portugal and South Africa, running down the West Coast of Africa, with branching units along the way that extends its connectivity to additional African countries. It runs some 14 000km along the West Coast of Africa with initial
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