Optical & Fixed Networks

Is a US-West Africa submarine fibre optic cable on the way?

Is a US-West Africa submarine fibre optic cable on the way?

Could the US and West Africa soon enjoy a dedicated subsea link? It’s early days yet, but this week US lawmakers have passed legislation to at least examine the feasibility of building a subsea cable linking the US to Africa.

More precisely, Democratic Congresswoman Stacey E Plaskett's so-called, DiasporaLink Act this week passed through the House of Representatives by voice vote.

The Bill, which seems to have failed to get through the 118th Congress, was reintroduced in March this year by Plaskett with a Republican colleague. It requests an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a transatlantic submarine fibre optic cable which will connect the East coast of the United States, via the United States Virgin Islands, with Nigeria and Ghana. Plaskett is Delegate to the US House of Representatives from the US Virgin Islands' at-large district.

Currently, most internet traffic between the two continents routes through Europe or Brazil, creating potential vulnerabilities, including surveillance risks and dependency on foreign-owned infrastructure. Or as the Congresswoman’s press release puts it: “Africa is increasingly an area that presents dynamic economic opportunity for our country as well as national security challenges that must be addressed.” It adds: “This service will provide African and Caribbean submarine operators and internet service providers (ISPs) a clear channel to US financial and business centres.”

According to the Submarine Networks website, the push for a direct US-Africa cable comes amid growing concerns over China’s expanding influence in global digital infrastructure.

It’s certainly true that a number of Chinese companies have been involved in multiple undersea cable projects in Africa including a trans-Atlantic cable connecting Cameroon and Brazil called the South Atlantic Inter Link (SAIL).

Of course this initiative is still an early stage. The legislation has passed through the House Energy & Commerce Committee and then the House of Representatives. It has now been sent on to the Senate. If it is approved, then the present administration will assess the technical, financial and diplomatic feasibility of the project.

The study is to be conducted within one year of the law’s enactment. A clear idea of who builds a cable and how and when it is to be built after all that is still a long way off.



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