MainOne Equinix Solutions, the pioneer behind Nigeria’s first private-sector-led submarine cable infrastructure back in 2010, has faced challenges with three significant fiber cuts since its inception. Repairing each cut took an average of six weeks or more, resulting in extended internet disruptions in major cities like Lagos.
Globally, submarine cable repairs are typically completed within five to fifteen days. However, in Africa, delays of months have become common. For instance, when the BCS East-West Interlink cable between Lithuania and Sweden suffered damage on November 17, 2024, it was repaired in just 11 days. In contrast, MainOne’s previous three fiber cuts each took about six weeks to repair, highlighting a vulnerability in Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Several obstacles contributing to the prolonged repair times were identified at the Submarine Cables Resilience Summit in Abuja. These include limited access to repair ships, bureaucratic challenges in obtaining permits, and high repair costs. The lack of specialized ships in African waters, extensive permit acquisition processes, and financial constraints are key factors contributing to the delays in addressing cable damages.
A notable incident occurred off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, where multiple submarine cables were damaged, resulting in a continent-wide internet connectivity crisis across West African countries. While repair efforts were hindered by bureaucratic hurdles, regions like North America and Europe have established cable redundancy systems, mitigating the impact of such incidents.
With Africa currently having fewer submarine cables compared to other regions, the continent remains vulnerable to disruptions caused by human activities, equipment failures, and natural disasters. Collaboration, faster government approvals, and private investments are essential to strengthening Africa’s internet infrastructure and reducing the continent’s susceptibility to internet blackouts.
Efforts are underway to enhance global resilience in submarine cable networks, including the establishment of advisory bodies. However, without significant reforms and proactive measures, Africa risks prolonged digital shutdowns due to cable damages, underscoring the urgency for strategic interventions and policy improvements in the region.