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.
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