• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Sunday, June 22, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Tech | Business | Economy
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
No Result
View All Result
Tech | Business | Economy
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home News

Google Urges Africa to Protect Fibre Optic Cables, Harmonise Policies to Strengthen Digital Infrastructure

by Joan Aimuengheuwa
November 15, 2024
in News
1
Google Urges Africa to Protect Fibre Optic Cables, Harmonise Policies to Strengthen Digital Infrastructure
Google

Google

UBA
Advertisements

Head of Government Relations and Public Policy in Africa for Google, Charles Murito, has urged African governments to strengthen protections for fibre optic cables and standardise infrastructure policies to boost tech growth across the continent. 

Speaking at the Africa Tech Conference, Murito emphasised that fibre should be designated as critical infrastructure, which would enhance legal protections for both terrestrial and subsea cables supporting Africa’s expanding digital sector.

The rise in vandalism targeting fibre networks, driven largely by criminal groups seeking valuable components like batteries and generators at telecom sites, has created huge obstacles for network providers. 

This disruption doesn’t just result in costly repairs but also threatens the reliability of internet connectivity across Africa. 

Murito explained that critical infrastructure status could mean more severe penalties for deliberate damage, a measure aimed at deterring such criminal activities.

In addition to enhancing protections, Murito highlighted Google’s ongoing investment in Africa’s connectivity infrastructure. 

With projects like the Equiano subsea cable linking Africa to Europe and the newly announced Umoja cable, a direct connection between Africa and Australia, Google seeks to improve internet access and data flow across the continent. 

These large-scale infrastructure developments are part of Google’s strategies for supporting Africa’s digital economy.

Industry leaders and telecom operators at the conference stressed that increased security for fibre infrastructure would be an encouraging sign for investors. 

Stronger legal protections could help draw more international businesses and reduce the risks currently associated with telecommunications investments in Africa.

Murito also noted the need for cross-border policy alignment in fibre optic deployment, suggesting that shared infrastructure among internet service providers (ISPs) could lead to lower data costs and enhanced access for consumers. 

A uniform regulatory approach, he argued, would simplify the operational space for telecom companies, removing one of the barriers currently hindering network expansion efforts.

Despite the huge prospects of mobile internet for African economies, penetration remains low, with only 27% of the continent’s population accessing mobile internet last year. 

One challenge is the varied regulatory environment that companies face when installing and managing infrastructure. Murito called on African governments to simplify these processes, making it easier for companies to expand their networks and reach more underserved communities.

This push for harmonisation in tech policy and infrastructure investment aligns with Google’s initiatives to facilitate digital development across Africa. 

In Nigeria, for instance, Google’s services, including Search, Ads, and YouTube, contributed an estimated $1.8 billion to the economy in 2023. Initiatives such as the Digital Skills for Africa programme and the Career Certificates initiative have also groomed over 1.5 million young Nigerians with critical digital skills.

The arrival of Google’s Equiano cable in Lagos in 2022 symbolises another significant step toward advancing Nigeria’s digital economy. 

Named after Olaudah Equiano, a Nigerian abolitionist and writer, this subsea cable is part of Google’s steps to enhance broadband quality across West Africa. 

By 2025, it is expected to improve internet speeds and reliability, reinforcing Nigeria’s role in Africa’s digital future.

Loading

Advertisements
MTN ADS

0Shares
Tags: AfricaAfrica Tech ConferenceCharles MuritoDigital infrastructurefibre optic cablesgoogleGoogle’s Equiano cablePolicies
Joan Aimuengheuwa

Joan Aimuengheuwa

Joan thrives at helping individuals and businesses scale via storytelling...

Next Post
UBA and Mastercard

UBA and Mastercard Introduce new Debit Card

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Meta Plans $10 Billion Subsea Cable to Bolster Global Data Traffic

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recommended

9mobile NIN - SIM linkage

9mobile Urges Subscribers to Link NIN to their SIM to Avoid Disconnection

1 year ago

Gracy Chen Becomes Bitget New Managing Director

3 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    • About
    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • Contact Us

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • News
    • Tech
      • DisruptiveTECH
      • ConsumerTech
      • How To
      • TechTAINMENT
    • Business
      • Telecoms
      • Mobility
      • Environment
      • Travel
      • StartUPs
        • Chidiverse
      • TE Insights
      • Security
    • Partners
    • Economy
      • Finance
      • Fintech
      • Digital Assets
      • Personal Finance
      • Insurance
    • Features
      • IndustryINFLUENCERS
      • Guest Writer
      • EventDIARY
      • Editorial
      • Appointment
    • TECHECONOMY TV
    • Apply
    • TBS
    • BusinesSENSE For SMEs

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    Translate »
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.