Derrick S. Diaba, PMP®’s Post

🔔 Nice article about how major OTTs investment in new submarine cable systems in Africa will effectively reduce the digital divide. This is up for discussion and not limited to a single continent with the current global dominance of OTTs. 🌐 Do they contribute to the welfare of end users, using objective metrics such as lower prices, higher quality and greater innovation? Or are these marketing claims outweighed by a “new cost model that keep African nations under perpetual debt, and serve as infrastructure for mass data harvesting while bringing little benefit to the Global South”? The authors analyze some projects in Africa, which I would add share a common factor with similar ones in other parts of the world: a lack of transparency to the public in their agreements with local governments. 🌍 Finally, they suggest some interesting measures to offset this ongoing trend. https://lnkd.in/eqx-QrZG

#Guinea and #Gambia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a second subsea optical fiber cable to improve #connectivity. This initiative, funded by the The World Bank under the @West African Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), aims to enhance #digital infrastructure and reduce costs. The new cable will provide a backup to the existing ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) cable, which suffers from disruptions, ensuring more reliable high-speed internet services and supporting the digital transformation goals of both nations. The collaboration is expected to significantly reduce project-related expenses, with Guinea potentially cutting its costs by over 40%. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eQpnz3HH

There is much more than shipwrecks at the bottom of the ocean. 🚢 In recent years, undersea fibre cables laid around Africa have skyrocketed connectivity and internet speeds. We spoke with Ibrahim Dikko from BCN Nigeria 🇳🇬 one of the biggest fibre network providers in the country, to get his take on fibre’s impact in Africa. ‘Although Africa has seen a huge surge of submarine cables in recent years, there is still a challenge in connectivity,’ Ibrahim says. Tens of thousands of miles of undersea fibre lines have been laid around the continent, but coastal countries are the ones who benefit the most. ‘We must improve accessibility and affordability, especially for the continent’s youth,’ says Ibrahim. Some ways to do this: 🦴 Build more fibre backbones For the 16 landlocked countries in Africa, terrestrial infrastructure needs to be built to access the fibre points on the coast, which is expensive and requires skilled installation teams. 🛰️ Deploy low earth orbit (LEO) satellites Partner with satellite providers like @starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb to add to existing fibre infrastructure, particularly in remote or rural areas where fibre is expensive to install. 🤝 Public/private collaborations Develop partnerships between governments and private sector telcos to invest in infrastructure together. Government financing can de-risk investments in challenging areas, while private companies bring technical expertise and efficiency to the table. Want to learn more? Join the NOVACOM community. Enquire about our 2025 schedule, by registering your interest here: https://lnkd.in/dWyH9_wJ.

Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Enhancing Internet Infrastructure in Africa

[NIGCOMSAT Kickstarts Phase One of the 774 LG Internet Connectivity Project with 579 Local Government Areas in Nigeria] According to Vanguard, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT Ltd) has commenced its VSAT installation project to provide satellite coverage for 579 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. This initiative utilises the Ku-band network asset of NigComSat-1R to support the Federal Government’s endeavour to cover all 774 Local Government Areas nationwide. In addition, phase one of the project has been initiated and is set to encompass 40 local government area council offices across eight states in Nigeria, including Borno, Cross River, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Ogun, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The first five local government areas to cover are Bassa, Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja, Okene, and Okehi, while the additional five local governments approved by the Minister are Adavi, Ajaokuta, Kogi, Mopamuro, and Dekina. Recently, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Bosun Tijani, has unveiled Project 774 Local Government Connectivity. This project aims to foster inclusive development and improve access to digital public infrastructure in government offices across Nigeria, including the most remote areas. In addition, the project, which will leverage the existing infrastructure of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) and Galaxy Backbone, will provide connectivity to all 774 LG Secretariats across Nigeria. Source: https://lnkd.in/ehTAydWW #galaxyaerosgh #space #spaceexploration #spacenews

Sierra Leone and Guinea Strengthen Digital Partnership The Government of Sierra Leone, represented by Minister Salima Monorma Bah of the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation., and the Government of Guinea, represented by the Minister of Posts Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, held a connectivity handshake meeting at the MPTEN headquarters to discuss the technical requirements between the two governments. Key objectives of the meeting: Seamlessly link the terrestrial fibre networks of Sierra Leone and Guinea, facilitating cross-border communication and data transfer. Collaborate on building and enhancing shared infrastructure, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity that supports both countries' digital economies Launch joint initiatives aimed at boosting the digital sector in both countries, including e-government services, digital trade, and innovation. Enhance the resilience of each country’s national fibre network infrastructure by providing redundant routes that reduce the risk of service interruptions due to failure from the submarine cable. Promote mutual growth through the exchange of technical expertise and knowledge-sharing, ensuring both countries benefit from the best practices in fibre network management. With representation from key sector players like LeoneCom, Zoodlabs SL, and the MocTI communications department, the meeting is expected to accelerate the implementation of its objectives, reflecting a collaborative approach that includes both public and private sectors. #ministryofinformationandciviceducation #ministerofexternalaffairs #ministerofplanning #ministerodworks #MinisterOfForeignAffairs #MinisterofHomeAffairs #MinisterofInformation #ministerofenvironmentandclimatechange #ministerofdefence #MinisterOfFinance #ministerofenvironment #ECOWAS #UNDP #EPA #NDMA #WorldBank #chiefministerofsierraleone #anticorruptioncomission #embassyofthepeoplesrepublicofchina #euambassdor #PresidentBio #britishhighcommission #embassyofguinea https://lnkd.in/dWpaHWhe

Australia’s $350 million cable boost to secure Pacific’s digital future: Watts MP Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts Tuesday pledged robust support for Pacific digital infrastructure at the Telstra Pacific Islands Telecommunications Strategy Forum in Sydney, highlighting Australia’s multi-million-dollar investment in undersea cables as a lifeline for Pacific connectivity. Addressing regional leaders and industry representatives, Watts acknowledged the crucial need for secure, resilient digital networks across the Blue Pacific, emphasising Australia’s commitment to bridging the region’s digital divide. “Connecting the Blue Continent to the digital infrastructure of the 21st century brings enormous opportunities—and responsibilities,” he stated. Australia has earmarked more than $350 million (US$229 million) since 2018 to fund undersea telecommunications cables throughout the Pacific, a move Watts described as essential for social, economic, and security progress. Among the flagship initiatives is the Coral Sea Cable System, linking Australia with Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Full story: https://t.ly/PtXen

Today we’re announcing Umoja, the first ever fiber optic route to directly connect Africa with Australia. Umoja, which is the Swahili word for unity, joins Equiano in an initiative called #AfricaConnect. Anchored in Kenya, the Umoja cable route will pass through Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, including the Google Cloud region, before crossing the Indian Ocean to Australia. Umoja’s terrestrial path was built in collaboration with Liquid Technologies to form a highly scalable route through Africa, including access points that will allow other countries to take advantage of the network. #googleglobalnetworking Google https://lnkd.in/gzZSxXHJ

Closing #Africadigitaldivide: The Economic power of internet expansion - #DigitalAfrica #Africadevelopment by Fabio Scala, Cav OSI Broadening digital connectivity in Africa and it's digital transformation hinges on one crucial element: internet access.

Another #Google Investment in Africa is Here: Improving connectivity and accelerating economic growth across #Africa to #Australia with #Umoja subsea cable investments. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dwDP7jV7