KEY POINTS
- Google advocates for fiber cables to be recognized as critical infrastructure in Africa.
- Infrastructure theft and regulatory complexity hinder fiber network expansion.
- Unified policies and stronger protections could drive tech investment in Africa.
Google is calling on African governments to recognize fiber optic cables as “critical infrastructure” to protect these assets from vandalism and support the growth of the continent’s digital economy.
Charles Murito, Google’s head of government relations in Africa, urged for a unified policy approach, highlighting that safeguarding terrestrial and subsea fiber cables would bolster Africa’s technology infrastructure and attract international investors.
Infrastructure theft impacts fiber networks
Attacks on fiber optic infrastructure have surged across Africa, driven by theft of materials like batteries and generators at tower sites, along with attempts to dig up cables for resale.
According to Reuters, Murito noted that treating fiber networks as vital infrastructure would deter vandalism and theft by imposing stricter penalties on those who damage this critical asset.
“Labeling fiber as a critical investment is key to ensuring more serious repercussions for acts of sabotage,” he explained during Africa Tech conference.
Google has invested heavily in intercontinental subsea cables to connect Africa with global networks, including the Equiano cable linking Africa to Europe and the new Umoja project, the first cable to directly connect Africa and Australia.
According to Murito, the security of these fiber networks is essential for fostering a stable internet environment that will appeal to businesses looking to expand in Africa.
Harmonized regulations could drive expansion
Murito also urged African nations to standardize regulations governing fiber optic cable installation and maintenance, which could cut costs for service providers and reduce data expenses for users.
Also, complex regulations and inconsistent infrastructure rules currently hamper fiber expansion across African countries, contributing to the continent’s low mobile internet penetration of just 27 percent in 2023.
Measures to rationalize these regulations are already being taken in some countries, for example, South Africa has called on local authorities to intensify the fight against infrastructure theft.
While South Africa has advocated for the arrest of those damaging fiber cables, it has yet to formally reclassify fiber optic networks as critical infrastructure.
