AFR-IX Telecom has received new support from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to fund a feasibility study on extending the Medusa subsea cable system from the Mediterranean to Africa’s Atlantic coast. The study will assess technical and commercial viability, paving the way for expanded digital infrastructure in West Africa.
While details on landing points are yet to be confirmed, AFR-IX has previously signed agreements to land Medusa in Port-Gentil, Gabon, and has mentioned a planned connection in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The expansion would build on Medusa’s existing 8,700 km (5,405 mile) network, which links Portugal to Egypt via Spain, France, Sicily, Greece, Cyprus, and North Africa, with a capacity of 20 Tbps per fiber pair.
Thomas R. Hardy, Acting Director of USTDA, emphasized the project’s strategic importance: “Subsea cables are the foundation for Africa’s digital future. USTDA’s involvement will help secure it against untrusted providers and ensure Africa benefits from reliable, secure infrastructure to support next-generation technologies like AI, quantum computing, and 6G.”
Norman Albi, CEO of AFR-IX and the Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System, added: “The Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System will be transformational for digital connectivity along Africa’s Atlantic coast, creating new opportunities for innovation, commerce, and social inclusion. USTDA’s support turns this vision into a bankable project.”
Funded by AFR-IX, Orange, and the European Union, Medusa earlier secured €14.3 million ($15.6m) from the EU for its West Africa expansion. The system, first announced in 2022, is expected to go live this year.
