Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel seal Horizon Fiber cross-border connectivity deal
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held in Djibouti, marking a significant step toward building a high-capacity, resilient fiber infrastructure linking East and Northeast Africa.
Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom , and Sudatel Group have officially signed a tripartite contractual agreement to implement the Horizon Fiber initiative, a major cross-border optical fiber project aimed at strengthening regional digital integration.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held in Djibouti, marking a significant step toward building a high-capacity, resilient fiber infrastructure linking East and Northeast Africa.
Speaking at the event, Ethio telecom Chief Executive Officer Frehiwot Tamru said the partnership goes beyond a commercial contract and reflects a shared commitment to building a common digital future for the region. She explained that Horizon Fiber is designed to establish a robust Africa-to-Africa connectivity corridor that links Djibouti’s submarine cable landing stations through Ethiopia and extends into Sudan.
According to Frehiwot, the initiative will create a secure, diversified, and scalable terrestrial route that enhances both regional and global connectivity. She highlighted that the project responds to growing demand from customers, enterprises, and hyperscalers for reliable and high-capacity digital infrastructure.
She also emphasized that collaboration is at the core of the Horizon Fiber initiative. By pooling infrastructure assets, technical expertise, and long-term vision, the three operators are demonstrating how African telecom companies can work together to address connectivity challenges and unlock new economic value. She added that the project lays the groundwork for a future-ready digital backbone that connects countries, supports economic growth, and positions the region as a reliable gateway within the global digital ecosystem.
Djibouti Telecom Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Assoweh Bouh described the Horizon project as a new chapter in regional telecommunications development and integration. He noted that the initiative reflects a shared ambition for progress and prosperity, while reinforcing digital sovereignty and the region’s standing on the global stage through jointly built, world-class infrastructure.
“The Horizon project opens a new chapter in the development and integration of telecommunications infrastructure in our region, with a common goal of progress and shared prosperity. This initiative demonstrates our ability to build world-class strategic infrastructure together, strengthen our digital sovereignty, and affirm our role on the global stage.”
-Mohamed Assoweh Bouh, CEO, Djibouti Telecom
Sudatel Group Chief Executive Officer Magdi M. Abdalla Taha said Horizon represents more than a fiber network, calling it a practical example of innovative collaboration among African operators. He stated that the project shows what can be achieved when alignment and cooperation replace competition, and added that Sudatel views Horizon as a model that can be replicated across the continent.
“Beyond infrastructure, Horizon stands as a living model of innovative partnership among African operators. It demonstrates what becomes possible when visions align, priorities converge, and collaboration supplants competition. We view Horizon as a replicable benchmark for the rest of the continent.”
-Magdi M. Abdalla Taha, Chief Executive Officer, Sudatel
The Horizon Fiber agreement also supports Ethio telecom’s long-term transformation roadmap under its “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028” strategy, which focuses on expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity resilience, and positioning the company for future growth in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
