Laser Light Africa and Phase3 Unveil Low-Latency “Fiber Meets AI” Network for West Africa

Laser Light Africa , a subsidiary of Laser Light Companies, and Phase3, a leading West African independent fiber optic infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, are teaming to deliver new “Fiber Meets AI” capabilities to the West African market.  Laser Light Africa will be installing a series of micro data centers along Phase3’s new 600km terrestrial fibre route between Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana, enabling low latency compute and storage capabilities to enhance the existing connectivity on offer. This route will also benefit from space-based redundancy offered by Laser Light.

Such capabilities offered as a flexible, customizable Infrastructure-as-a-Service manner enable hyperscalers, communications service providers, and enterprise a quick and cost-effective way to securely expand their cloud footprints while using their own software stacks. Because the compute resources will be placed much closer to the users along this growing and underserved route than the region’s existing hyperscale data center, this new offering will provide much lower latency for applications such as Artificial Intelligence and gaming and will provide a better overall quality of service.

This new service is forecast to begin in 1H2026 and will be able to quickly expand with demand the number of microdata centers offered by taking advantage of the existing secured electrical substations on Phase3’s aerial optical network.  The service also has the ability to extend on Phase3’s inward African routes to neighbouring countries to bring such advanced capabilities to even more of an underserved, fast growing population.

This corridor is experiencing the highest rate of urban growth in Africa and is projected to be home to over 50 million people by 2027. This dense and expanding population along the Accra-Lagos route represents a large and underserved market with a growing demand for digital services and AI applications which this offer will address.

– Craig Lowe, Chief Growth Officer, Phase3 Telecom

As part of this teaming, Laser Light will also provide space-based redundancy for Phase3’s network when its global multi-domain platform featuring a constellation of all-optical satellites becomes operational.

Phase3 pioneered the use of fiber optic cables on high voltage transmission lines in West Africa, offering a unique advantage in terms of rapid deployment, enhanced security, and cost-effectiveness. This innovative approach has enabled P3 to build a robust and reliable Open Access Network that serves a wide range of clients, including telecommunications operators, internet service providers, government institutions, and enterprises. Phase3’s commitment to providing excellent services and connecting people and businesses for the socio-economic development of Africa makes them a valuable partner for us in the region. Their existing infrastructure and regional expertise will be crucial for deploying and operating micro data centers and facilitating high-speed connectivity between Accra and Lagos.

– Derek Friend, President SADC region, Laser Light Africa