The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the nation’s telecoms regulator, has expressed its full support for Meta’s initiative to land the 2Africa Cable in Nigeria.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, made the pledge, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to investors like Meta who are aligned with Nigeria’s digital economy goals.
During a recent visit by Meta’s delegation to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Maida highlighted the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations of the sector. He stressed that compliance is crucial for maintaining a level playing field, fostering healthy competition, and ensuring sustainable growth in the Nigerian telecoms sector.
Meta’s Vice President for Africa, the Middle-East, and Turkey, Kojo Boakye, shared details about the 2Africa Cable. Spanning 45,000 kilometers, it is set to be one of the largest subsea cable projects globally, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The cable is expected to go live in 2023, boasting a design capacity of up to 180 terabytes per second (Tbps).
Read also: 2Africa lands first African undersea cable in Mozambique
Impact on Connectivity
The 2Africa Cable is poised to significantly enhance internet capacity and reliability across Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It will support the expansion of 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband access, connecting the unconnected and improving access for those already online.
Boakye appealed to the NCC for assistance in navigating the legal and regulatory processes required to land the submarine cable in Nigeria. This support is vital for complementing the existing backbone infrastructure and achieving the project’s objectives.
Meta, through a consortium, plans to land the 2Africa cable in both Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states. This strategic move aims to provide connectivity for those not yet online and to offer improved and affordable access for current users.
The NCC’s backing of Meta’s 2Africa Cable project marks a significant step towards realizing Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations. With regulatory support and Meta’s commitment, the 2Africa Cable is set to transform the digital landscape of Nigeria and beyond.
What is the 2Africa Cable?
The 2Africa Cable is an ambitious project to lay one of the world’s largest subsea telecommunications cables. It is designed to interconnect Europe, Asia, and Africa, spanning approximately 45,000 kilometers. The cable system is expected to go live in 2023 and aims to deliver more than the total combined capacity of all subsea cables currently serving Africa. With a design capacity of up to 180 terabytes per second (Tbps), the 2Africa Cable will significantly enhance internet capacity, reliability, and connectivity across large parts of Africa, support the fast-growing capacity demand in the Middle East, and underpin further growth of 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband access for billions of people. This project is particularly impactful for Nigeria, as it promises to connect the unconnected and improve access for those already online. Meta, through a consortium, plans to land the 2Africa cable simultaneously in Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states in Nigeria, ensuring enhanced and affordable access to the internet for many.