Meta Announces Completion of 2Africa Subsea Cable to Connect 3 Billion People
Meta, in collaboration with major global and regional telecommunications partners, has officially announced the completion and activation of the 2Africa subsea cable, one of the largest digital infrastructure projects ever undertaken.
Developed with partners including Bayobab (MTN Group), Orange, center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, the 2Africa system is expected to transform internet access for more than 3 billion people, including Africa’s 1.4 billion population, over the next decade.
According to Meta, the cable, which spans three continents and 33 countries, is now the world’s longest open-access subsea cable. It also becomes the first system to connect East and West Africa in a continuous loop, linking Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. The project delivers more subsea capacity than all existing African cables combined, enabling a new era of faster, more reliable and more affordable connectivity across the continent.
A New Foundation for Cloud and AI-Driven Connectivity
Meta says the advanced technology powering the 2Africa system will significantly enhance internet performance for consumers, enterprises, and public institutions. The infrastructure is also poised to support a new wave of cloud computing and AI-driven services, strengthening Africa’s position in the digital economy.
“The completion of 2Africa is a monumental achievement—not just for Meta, but for the entire continent,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President for Public Policy in Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye.
“This project shows what’s possible when vision, investment and collaboration come together, unlocking opportunities for millions of Africans, empowering businesses, and accelerating economic growth.”
Meta added that the initiative underscores its long-term commitment to Africa’s digital transformation, especially as the continent prepares for AI-powered economic expansion and greater digital inclusion.
Cross-Sector Collaboration Delivers Continental-Scale Infrastructure
The 2Africa consortium demonstrates the power of collaboration between public and private sectors across multiple countries. With the core system now active, millions of Africans are expected to see faster internet speeds, greater network reliability, and expanded access to digital services.
Businesses across the region will also benefit from improved connectivity, driving innovation, competitiveness, and cross-border digital trade.
The launch event brought together senior government officials and regulators from across Africa, including the Minister of Post, Telecoms and Digital Economy of the DRC, Hon. Jose Mpanda Kabangu, as well as representatives from Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Kenya, and Nigeria.
“Completing the core 2Africa system is a milestone for open, reliable capacity spanning three continents,” said Alex-Handrah Aime, Meta’s Vice President of Network Investments.
“We built 2Africa to be open by design so more providers can connect and people and businesses can get faster, more dependable service. Under the surface, it’s engineered for scale, reliability, and to power the next wave of cloud and AI experiences.”
