Telecoms & Networks News Africa

First fibre network from Cape to Cairo to be completed

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Telecom Egypt and Liquid Telecom will enable the completion of Africa's terrestrial fibre network stretching from Cape Town, South Africa, to Cairo, Egypt. which has been an ongoing project for over 10 years.
First fibre network from Cape to Cairo to be completed

Under the MoU, Liquid Telecom will link its network from Sudan into Telecom Egypt’s network via a new cross-border interconnection – bringing together a 60,000km network that runs from Cape Town, through all the Southern, Central, and Eastern African countries, and has now reached the border between Sudan and Egypt.

The Cape to Cairo network - often referred to as “the One Africa” broadband network - serves some of the largest global companies with some of the fastest network speeds on the continent.

First fibre network from Cape to Cairo to be completed

“Completing our vision of building a single network running on land, all the way from Cape to Cairo is a historic moment for the company and for a more connected Africa. This network not only represents a remarkable engineering achievement that has overcome some of the most challenging distances and terrains on the continent, but it is also supporting the rise of Africa’s digital economies,” says Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet.

As part of the strategic partnership, Liquid Telecom and Telecom Egypt will share network infrastructure and explore further areas of collaboration, including joint network services, a peering arrangement and a voice interconnection agreement.

“The roll-out of infrastructure, particularly high-speed networks, is crucial for stimulating intra-regional trade. The Cape to Cairo network sets a new standard for Africa and will open-up new trade opportunities across the region. Our congratulations to Telecom Egypt and Liquid Telecom for reaching an agreement to complete the Cape to Cairo network,” said Dr. Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank.

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