Telecom Egypt has announced the completion of the core infrastructure for the 2Africa submarine cable, one of the most ambitious and expansive subsea connectivity projects ever undertaken. Developed by a consortium that includes Bayobab, Center3, China Mobile International, Meta, Orange, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, the cable is set to redefine global data flows, strengthen Africa–Europe links, and reinforce Egypt’s role as a major international telecoms hub.
The 2Africa system is the first integrated subsea network to offer direct connectivity between East and West Africa while linking the continent to the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. Once fully operational, it will serve more than three billion people—over 30% of the world’s population—via landing points in over 33 countries.
With eight fibre pairs on its western route, the cable delivers 21 Tbps per fibre pair, totalling 168 Tbps between the UK and South Africa. In the Mediterranean, shorter distances enable even higher performance: more than 30 Tbps per fibre pair across 16 fibre pairs, exceeding 180 Tbps in total. The system’s cutting-edge SDM technology more than doubles the capacity of traditional subsea cables, supporting the surging demand from AI, cloud services, and other data-intensive applications.
In Egypt, 2Africa lands at Ras Ghareb and Port Said, connected by dual terrestrial routes parallel to the Suez Canal to ensure resilience across the intercontinental corridor. A marine festoon link between Ras Ghareb, Zaafarana, and Suez adds further protection. With the newly added Pearl extension, the system will span 45,000 kilometres—longer than the Earth’s circumference.
The project, built over nearly six years and 50 landing sites, relied on complex regulatory coordination, strategic partnerships, and more than 35 specialised vessels operating across diverse marine environments. The cable’s deeper burial—50% more than typical systems—enhances protection from environmental and maritime risks.
The 2Africa system is expected to contribute up to $36.9 billion to Africa’s GDP within two to three years of operation, enabling job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation. For Telecom Egypt, the project solidifies its long-term strategy to reinforce its international assets and maintain its leadership as a global gateway between continents.
Tamer El Mahdy, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, said the cable’s completion marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to expand international infrastructure and deliver advanced digital solutions. He described 2Africa as a transformative project ushering in a new era of global connectivity.
