Google and cable landing partner, WIOCC, on Thursday announced the landing of its state-of-the-art Equiano subsea cable, expected to significantly impact Nigeria’s current and future international internet connectivity demands.
The Equiano cable is designed to start in Portugal in western Europe, run more than 12,000km along the West Coast of Africa and land in Lomé, Togo; Lagos, Nigeria; Swakopmund, Namibia; Rupert’s Bay, Saint Helena, and Melkbosstrand, South Africa.
It will establish a valuable new high-capacity internet connection between the African continent and Europe, Google said on Thursday.
Named after Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano, the Equiano cable will help support further digital transformation in Nigeria, a country that has produced five start-up unicorns (companies valued at more than $1 billion) in the past five years.
An impact assessment study by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics stated that once the state-of-the-art, high-capacity Equiano cable becomes fully operational, anticipated later this year, it will accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
In terms of connectivity, it is expected to increase internet speeds by a factor of six, reduce internet retail prices by 21 per cent, and increase internet penetration by six percentage points.
In terms of economic impact, the cable is projected to boost GDP by USD 10.1 billion by 2025. It is also projected to boost job creation by 1.6 million jobs by 2025. With regard to sustainability potentia, It is expected to also save 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.
All of these developments would significantly impact Nigeria’s drive towards building a robust digital economy, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said in his remarks at the virtual launch of the cable in Lagos on Thursday.
The Nigerian government has stepped up its digital transformation programs since 2017. These initiatives have proven crucial to the success of many industries in the country, especially the startup space. But studies suggest that faster internet connections, better user experiences, and reduced internet costs will further accelerate these benefits.
Last month, the Equiano subsea cable made its first landing in Africa in Lomé, Togo, as a confirmation of the commitment made at the Google for Africa 2021 event to help increase internet access across Africa.
