Sonatel Commissions 2Africa Submarine Cable, Africa’s Largest Connectivity Project
The cable is expected to support hundreds of millions of users by strengthening both fixed and mobile broadband access, while enhancing network resilience, reliability, and service quality.
Sonatel has announced the operational commissioning of the 2Africa submarine cable, the largest and most efficient connectivity infrastructure ever deployed on the continent. Originally launched in 2020 as part of Sonatel’s international network modernization and commissioned in December 2025, 2Africa marks a transformative step in Senegal’s and Africa’s digital connectivity landscape.
A new generation of submarine cable technology
Stretching 45,000 km and connecting 33 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia, the 2Africa cable introduces cutting-edge performance:
- 16 pairs of fiber, compared with 2–8 in previous systems
- Nominal capacity of 180 Tbits, roughly ten times greater than prior cables
- First cable to connect Europe to all African coasts, from the UK to South Africa, then up to the Horn of Africa and Egypt, extending to the Middle East and India
The cable is expected to support hundreds of millions of users by strengthening both fixed and mobile broadband access, while enhancing network resilience, reliability, and service quality.
Open, neutral, and collaborative model
The project follows an innovative consortium model, uniting hyperscalers, international operators, and internet service providers. It also features:
- Open Access, ensuring non-discriminatory use of the capacity
- Carrier-neutral landing stations, available to all operators
These innovations aim to ensure broad accessibility, ecosystem collaboration, and technological neutrality, reinforcing Africa’s position in global internet infrastructure.
Sonatel’s role in 2Africa
As part of the Orange Group, Sonatel is the project owner of the Senegal landing station, overseeing construction, operation of the land backhaul, and technical management to route international traffic efficiently. The commissioning of 2Africa further enhances Sonatel’s international connectivity, offering improved capacity, service availability, and customer experience.
With 2Africa, Sonatel positions Senegal as a critical hub for global internet traffic, bringing a new era of digital access and innovation to the continent.
