Fiber Optic Cable Cabling in Mozambique

The 2Africa submarine fiber optic cable has been successfully landed in Mozambique, significantly enhancing internet connectivity and digital infrastructure in the country.

Overview of the 2Africa Project

The 2Africa submarine cable is the world's largest undersea fiber optic system, spanning approximately 45,000 kilometers with a capacity of 180 Terabits per second. It connects 33 countries globally, including 19 in Africa, linking Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India . The project was launched in May 2020 and is designed to increase internet capacity, improve reliability, and reduce latency, supporting the growth of digital economies across the continent .

Mozambique Landings

In Mozambique, the cable has landed in two key locations:

• Maputo (South) – the initial landing in February 2023
• Nacala-Porto (North) – the first submarine cable landing in northern Mozambique, officially launched in August 2023 These landings are connected to local data centers, including one inaugurated by Master Power Technologies in Nacala, providing a direct international gateway for faster and more reliable internet services .

Consortium and Partners

The 2Africa project is managed by a consortium of eight international partners, including:

• Meta (Facebook)
• China Mobile International
• Bayobab (formerly MTN GlobalConnect)
• Orange
• Center3 (stc)
• Telecom Egypt
• Vodafone/Vodacom
• WIOCC Vodacom is the designated partner responsible for the landing and infrastructure in Mozambique, ensuring integration with existing port and data center facilities in Maputo and Nacala .

Benefits and Impact

The deployment of the 2Africa cable in Mozambique is expected to:

• Enhance internet capacity and speed, supporting 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband expansion
• Improve connectivity in underserved and rural areas, promoting digital inclusion
• Enable businesses and consumers to access high-quality, low-latency internet for teleworking, streaming, and advanced multimedia applications
• Stimulate economic growth, with studies estimating a potential contribution of $26–37 billion to Africa's GDP within two to three years of commissioning
• Create employment opportunities in sectors such as data centers, call centers, and software development

Technical and Strategic Significance

The 2Africa cable provides Mozambique with a direct international gateway, reducing dependency on indirect routes and enhancing network resilience. Service providers can obtain capacity on a fair and equitable basis, supporting a healthy internet ecosystem and enabling direct connectivity to data centers, enterprises, and wholesale customers . Overall, the fiber optic cable laying in Mozambique through the 2Africa project represents a major milestone in the country's digital infrastructure, positioning Mozambique as a key hub for regional connectivity and supporting long-term socio-economic development .