(Ecofin Agency) - Despite an improvement in internet penetration in Africa, millions remain offline due to inadequate infrastructure. The MEDUSA AFRICA project will expand high-speed, low-latency internet access, particularly in underserved coastal and inland regions.

African infrastructure and telecom operator AFR-IX Telecom has secured new funding from the European Commission to support the expansion of the MEDUSA AFRICA Submarine Cable System through the (Connecting Europe Facility) CEF Digital program. This investment, announced on March 12, strengthens digital connectivity between Europe and Africa, fostering economic and technological growth across the region.

The MEDUSA Submarine Cable System, initially designed to enhance intercontinental links through the Mediterranean, will now extend further into West Africa. This expansion will ease connectivity congestion, improve redundancy, and boost the resilience of critical networks.

The European Commission has awarded a €14.3 million grant under its Backbone Connectivity for Digital Global Gateways program to connect the Southern European Data Gateway with Atlantic Africa via a 24-fiber pair submarine cable system. The project will conduct marine surveys from a dedicated Branching Unit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and assess potential branch routes along Africa’s west coast.

MEDUSA AFRICA is one of 21 projects selected in the third round of CEF Digital funding. AFR-IX Telecom also secured €3.7 million for its ATMED Malta – DG project, integrating Malta into the Medusa network. These grants are part of the EU’s broader €420 million investment in digital infrastructure, with €142 million allocated to submarine cable projects.

According to telecoms market research and consulting firm TeleGeography’s IP Networks Research Service, Africa experienced the fastest growth in international internet bandwidth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41% between 2020 and 2024. This surge reflects increasing demand for high-speed connectivity, driven by factors like mobile adoption, digital services, and cloud computing. It highlights the urgent need for expanded infrastructure. Without new submarine cables, the continent risks network congestion, slow speeds, and high costs, limiting digital innovation and economic progress.

Hikmatu Bilali