Airtel Africa has proudly announced the successful activation of the 2Africa submarine cable system, with its initial phase linking Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. This landmark achievement marks a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity across the continent.
Spanning approximately 45,000 kilometers, the 2Africa cable system is the longest subsea cable network in the world, connecting 46 cable landing stations in 33 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. This extensive network is designed to deliver high-speed internet, low latency, and expanded bandwidth services to millions of people and businesses.
The 2Africa consortium, comprising major industry players such as Bayobab, China Mobile, Meta, Orange, Saudi Telecom, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, and WIOCC, has collaborated with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to supply the cable system. The system boasts a design capacity of up to 180Tbps on 16 fiber pairs on key parts of the network, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity.
Although Airtel is not a member of the 2Africa consortium, the company has played a crucial role in the project by landing the cable in several strategic markets, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Kenya, and India. This involvement underscores Airtel’s commitment to fostering digital transformation and connectivity across the region.
The activation of the segments linking Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa follows the earlier activation of the 2Africa Seychelles branch (Intelvision Submarine Cable System, ISCS) in March 2024, in collaboration with Vodafone and Intelvision. This expansion demonstrates the progressive rollout of the 2Africa cable system, bringing enhanced internet capabilities to even more regions.
Speaking at the launch event in Dar es Salaam, the President of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, commended Airtel for its dedication to improving connectivity and supporting technological advancement in Tanzania and beyond. The launch was also attended by the Group CEO of Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, and the Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Hon. Nape Nnauye.
The 2Africa cable system is set to revolutionize internet access and digital services across multiple continents, driving economic growth and bridging the digital divide. Airtel’s involvement in this transformative project highlights its ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and empower communities with cutting-edge technology.
