In response to the recent disruptions caused by cable cuts to four major subsea systems off Africa’s western seaboard, WIOCC, Africa’s digital backbone, has taken swift action to restore connectivity and mitigate the impact on the region. The company has announced significant progress in this endeavor, managing to bring online over two and a half terabytes of capacity and restoring more than 100 links as of yesterday. This development was shared by Chris Wood, CEO of WIOCC, during an online meeting with select journalists.
The restoration efforts have focused on bolstering the networks of various operators affected by the cuts to the WACS, ACE, MainOne, and SAT3 subsea systems. Wood highlighted the instrumental role of the Open Access Data Centres (OADC) in Lagos, which, through its direct connectivity to the Equiano system, is currently the primary operational system serving West Africa, especially Nigeria. The Equiano system’s unique position underscores the critical nature of maintaining diverse and resilient digital infrastructure for the region’s connectivity.
WIOCC’s proactive measures include substantial investments, with over $100 million deployed towards accessing new subsea systems such as the Equiano system and the upcoming 2Africa system, which is expected to go live later this year. The 2Africa system’s activation is anticipated to significantly enhance the resilience of network infrastructures utilizing it. Moreover, the introduction of two new cable landings in Nigeria—one in Akwa Ibom and another in Lagos—will offer additional redundancy and fortify Nigeria’s connectivity framework.
The timeline for repairing the affected cables has been outlined by Wood, with expectations set for the repair ships to reach the damaged sites by the end of the month. The repair process, dependent on the extent of the damage, is estimated to take an additional two to three weeks, with hopes of complete restoration by mid to late April. The repair endeavors will be a collective effort carried out by each cable’s consortium or owner, involving a cost of approximately $2 million for full restoration per cable, totaling around $8 million for all four affected cables.
The financial burden of these repairs will fall upon the owners of the individual subsea cables, highlighting the collaborative and shared responsibility within the telecommunications industry to maintain and protect this vital infrastructure. The disruption has not only impacted connectivity but has also prompted a broader conversation on the need for a coordinated and multilateral approach to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure in the region. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for such an approach, emphasizing the importance of diversified connectivity to ensure continuous service.
WIOCC’s efforts to restore service and invest in future-proofing Africa’s digital backbone reflect a commitment to addressing the immediate challenges while laying the groundwork for a more resilient and robust telecommunications infrastructure. This approach is not only about repair but also about rethinking and reinforcing the foundations upon which Africa’s digital economy and connectivity rely. As WIOCC continues to lead the charge in providing backbone services across West Africa, the recent disruptions serve as a reminder of the importance of continuous innovation, investment, and cooperation in the face of evolving challenges in the telecommunications sector.
