WIOCC has landed Google’s Equiano subsea cable in Lagos, Nigeria.
From its starting point in Portugal, the cable will run more than 12,000km along the West Coast of Africa and initially land in Lomé, Togo; Lagos, Nigeria; Swakopmund, Namibia; Rupert’s Bay, Saint Helena and Melkbosstrand, South Africa; establishing a valuable new high-capacity connection between the African continent and Europe.
With a design capacity roughly 20 times larger than any other cable currently serving the region, the Equiano subsea internet cable will have a direct impact on connectivity, resulting in faster internet speeds, reduced internet prices and improved user experience in Nigeria.
Named after Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano, the Equiano cable will help support further digital transformation in Nigeria. An impact assessment study by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics estimates that once the cable is fully operational, it will increase internet speeds in Nigeria six-fold, as well as lowering prices by as much as 21% and pushing up penetration by 6%.
The study also anticipates that by 2025, the cable will boost Nigeria’s GDP by US$10.1 billion as well as assisting in the creation of 1.6 million jobs within this timeframe. In addition, it could help to reduce carbon emissions by as much as 2.8 million tonnes annually.
Juliet Ehimuan, Director, West Africa at Google, said: “Equiano is set to make an enduring contribution towards the development of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure and today marks another major step in its development.”
Chris Wood, Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC, stated: “The Equiano cable will deliver improved internet quality, speeds and affordability to the people of Nigeria. However, for the benefits to be fully felt throughout Nigeria, hyperscale connectivity needs to be extended from the Lagos area to the rest of the country. To make this happen, WIOCC is also deploying a comprehensive, hyperscale national fibre network. The network will go live in phases, starting in June and continuing through to the end of the year. When combined with the Equiano cable this network will deliver transformational benefits across the country.”
Last month, the Equiano subsea cable made its first landing in Africa in Lomé, Togo, as a confirmation of the commitment made at the Google for Africa 2021 event to help increase internet access across Africa.