2Africa Cable Set to Add $36.9B to Africa's Economy, Boosting Global Connectivity

Meta Completes 2Africa Subsea Cable, Boosting Africa's Global Connectivity

Meta Platforms Inc. (META) has officially activated the core 2Africa subsea cable system, the world's longest open-access undersea network, marking a transformative milestone for Africa's digital infrastructure. Spanning 45,000 kilometers and linking 33 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the system connects over 3 billion people, enhancing international bandwidth capacity and reducing costs for internet service providers. The project, led by Meta alongside partners including MTN Group's Bayobab, Orange, Vodafone Group, and others, was designed to address Africa's growing demand for high-speed connectivity and support emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing according to industry reports.

The 2Africa cable employs advanced spatial division multiplexing (SDM) technology, supporting 16 fiber pairs per cable-double the capacity of older systems-and undersea optical wavelength switching for flexible bandwidth management . On the West segment alone, the system delivers 180 terabits per second (Tbps) of trunk capacity, equivalent to streaming 36 million HD movies simultaneously. This leap in capacity is expected to lower wholesale bandwidth prices, stimulate competition, and drive investment in 5G and data centers across the continent according to economic forecasts.

Economic analysts project that 2Africa could contribute up to $36.9 billion to Africa's GDP within the first two to three years of operation, spurring job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation hubs in connected regions . The cable's open-access model allows multiple providers to procure capacity on equal terms, fostering a competitive market and reducing reliance on legacy infrastructure. Vodafone Group CTO Dejan Kastelic emphasized that the project is "a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and inclusion," particularly as Africa's internet user base is projected to surpass 1 billion by 2030 according to market analysis.

Construction of the 2Africa system, which began in 2019, faced challenges including navigating seabed hazards like the Congo Canyon and avoiding geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, where Houthi missile attacks delayed progress . The consortium deployed 35 offshore vessels and increased burial depth by 50% to enhance resilience. With the Pearls extension-connecting the Horn of Africa to South Asia-set to launch in 2026, the full network will exceed Earth's circumference, further solidifying Africa's role in global connectivity .

Meta's investment underscores its strategic push into AI-driven infrastructure, with the 2Africa project aligning with broader initiatives like Project Waterworth, a planned 50,000-km cable linking five continents. The completion of 2Africa also positions Africa to benefit from the region's surging subsea cable development, with 77 systems currently active or under construction .