The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to invest $2 billion in the development of a 90,000-kilometre submarine cable network, aimed at providing every Nigerian with access to quality internet connectivity, regardless of location. This ambitious project is part of Nigeria’s strategy to strengthen its digital economy and ensure that the country remains globally competitive in the digital space.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement was made during the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, which commenced today. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity as a cornerstone for driving Nigeria’s digital economy forward. He emphasized that the $2 billion investment is a significant step in ensuring that millions of Nigerians benefit from robust digital services.
Strengthening Global Connectivity and Preventing Cable Damage
In addition to domestic initiatives, the Nigerian government is also leading efforts to protect global submarine cable infrastructure. Dr. Tijani revealed that Nigeria will spearhead global conversations on preventing cable damage and ensuring the resilience of these vital digital links. This comes as part of Nigeria’s push to safeguard its role in the global digital economy.
To further this agenda, Nigeria will host the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in its inaugural International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit from February 26 to 27, bringing together 50 countries to discuss solutions to submarine cable disruptions. The summit will focus on how to strengthen the resilience of submarine cables, which are crucial for global digital communication, as well as strategies to mitigate the impacts of cable damage.
Nigeria’s Digital Economy Vision
Dr. Tijani noted that submarine cables are the backbone of the digital economy, and ensuring their resilience is crucial for Nigeria’s economic goals. He pointed out that President Bola Tinubu has committed to driving Nigeria’s economy towards becoming a $1 trillion economy, with the entire Cabinet working towards this ambitious goal. Submarine cables, he said, are an integral part of this vision, as they support critical global communication and trade.
“The economy is interconnected, and Nigeria must take global leadership in securing the critical infrastructure that sustains modern economies,” Tijani explained. He also stressed the importance of securing digital infrastructures like submarine cables to prevent disruptions to the nation’s economic activities.
Global Cable Disruptions and Nigeria’s Leadership
Submarine cable disruptions are a recurring global issue, with approximately 150 to 200 cable cuts occurring annually, leading to significant connectivity issues across various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and mobile services. Dr. Tijani’s comments highlight Nigeria’s proactive stance in addressing these challenges.
In March 2024, a major disruption in West Africa affected 13 countries, including Nigeria. The damage to cables near Senegal and the Ivory Coast, along with similar incidents in Portugal, caused widespread disruptions, affecting businesses and financial institutions. This event underscored the vulnerability of the global digital infrastructure and the need for better resilience strategies.
The ITU Deputy Secretary-General, Tomas Lamanauskas, praised Nigeria’s leadership in addressing the issue, noting that the summit aims to prevent future disruptions and explore solutions for maintaining robust and resilient submarine cable infrastructure. Lamanauskas added that submarine cables are essential for global connectivity, with most data traffic, even that which reaches satellites, relying on these cables for efficient transmission across vast distances.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Resilience and Crisis Management
The Submarine Cable Resilience Summit will gather experts from around the world to discuss crisis management, recovery efforts, and technological innovations to address the challenges posed by cable damage. Additionally, the ITU will advise countries to diversify their cable infrastructure to avoid complete disconnection in the event of a disruption.
In recognition of Nigeria’s efforts, Lamanauskas commended the country for taking a leadership role in convening the global conversation on submarine cable resilience. The summit, which includes government representatives, private sector stakeholders, cable operators, and academia, will focus on finding solutions to enhance the resilience of submarine cables and ensure the continuity of global digital services.
International Collaboration for a Resilient Future
With 250 stakeholders from various sectors expected to participate, the summit will provide a platform for collaboration on tackling the challenges posed by submarine cable damage. The discussions are expected to lead to actionable solutions that will strengthen global connectivity and reduce the risks associated with cable disruptions.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized United Nations agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), is playing a pivotal role in this initiative, working alongside the Nigerian government to ensure that submarine cable infrastructure remains resilient and secure for years to come.
