Meta Completes 2Africa Subsea Cable, Bringing Faster Internet to 3 Billion People

Meta has announced the successful completion and activation of the 2Africa subsea cable, a transformative project designed to enhance internet access for more than 3 billion people across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. Developed in partnership with global and regional telecommunications leaders, including MTN Group’s Bayobab, Orange, center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, and WIOCC, the cable is now the world’s longest open-access subsea system.

Spanning three continents and connecting 33 countries, the 2Africa cable is the first to link East and West Africa in a single continuous loop. Meta highlights that this infrastructure will dramatically increase internet capacity across the continent, providing more subsea capacity than all existing African cables combined. For Africa’s 1.4 billion population, this promises faster, more reliable, and more affordable connectivity over the next decade.

“This project is a monumental achievement—not just for Meta, but for the entire continent,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President for Public Policy in Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye. “2Africa demonstrates the power of vision, investment, and collaboration, unlocking new opportunities for millions of Africans and accelerating economic growth.” The system also lays the foundation for next-generation cloud and AI-driven services, benefiting consumers, businesses, and public institutions alike.

The project underscores a model of cross-border collaboration between the public and private sectors. With the core system now live, millions of Africans can expect improved internet speeds, network reliability, and broader access to online services. Businesses are set to gain from stronger connectivity, fostering innovation, competitiveness, and cross-border digital trade. The launch event attracted senior government and regulatory officials from across Africa, highlighting the initiative’s continental importance.

Nigeria, a key landing point for the cable, joins a growing network of subsea connections including MainOne, SAT-3, Glo-2, ACE, WACS, Equiano, and NCSCS. Meta’s 2Africa project, engineered for scalability and reliability, ensures that more providers can connect efficiently, empowering the continent to embrace AI-driven growth and digital inclusion for years to come.

source: nairametrics