Regional experts approve feasibility for new cable. (Image source: ECOWAS)

Experts from Cape Verde, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau, alongside their technical and financial partners, convened in Monrovia, Liberia, from 22 to 24 October 2025 to review and approve the feasibility study report for the installation of a second submarine cable connecting the four nations

The initiative, spearheaded by the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU) in collaboration with the Directorate of Digital Economy and Postal Services, aims to strengthen digital development across the participating countries. By establishing a robust international connectivity infrastructure, the project will enhance network reliability, improve Cabo Verde’s integration with the West African region, and support regional initiatives such as roaming services.

The new submarine cable will also expand the international capacity available within the ECOWAS region, facilitating internet growth, enabling advanced digital applications, and ensuring redundancy and security of international communications links.

The opening ceremony on 22 October 2025 was presided over by Mohammed Massa-Ley, deputy minister of posts and telecommunications in charge of technical services for the Republic of Liberia. The event was attended by Kebba Fye, interim director of the PPDU; Bénédict Roberts, head of the ECOWAS National Office in Liberia; and Dr Nathaniel Walker, political adviser to the ECOWAS Permanent Representation to the Republic of Liberia.

This collaborative meeting marks a crucial milestone toward the realisation of the second ECOWAS submarine cable, positioning the region to benefit from improved connectivity, digital resilience, and enhanced economic integration.

High-capacity submarine cable connecting Oman and Kenya. (Image source: Safaricom)

Meta has entered into an agreement with Safaricom to bring its second submarine cable to Kenya, marking a major advancement in regional connectivity 

Through its subsidiary, Edge Network Services Limited, Meta has appointed Safaricom as the landing partner for a new high-capacity submarine cable connecting Oman and Kenya. The collaboration aims to enhance internet speeds, improve network resilience, and support the growing demand for digital services across the region.

“This deal is a significant strategic milestone for us at Safaricom as we mark 25 years and signals our readiness to transition into a fully-fledged tech company in line with our vision 2030 strategy. It positions us to meet the surging demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity which is critical for powering economic growth, cloud adoption, and digital innovation,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.

The partnership strengthens Safaricom’s long-term commitment to providing faster, more resilient, and future-proof connectivity in alignment with its ambition to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030. It further reinforces the company’s role in driving digital transformation, empowering enterprises, communities, and consumers with the high-speed connectivity required to compete in a digital economy.

The Under-Sea Cable System will be fully financed by Edge, with locally licensed operators in both Kenya and Oman contracted to manage the cable segment within their respective territorial waters, as well as the associated in-country infrastructure.

The deal signals Safaricom’s readiness to offer more than voice, data and mobile money services in line with its vision 2030 to be Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company.

Strategic partnership boosts cooling solutions

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A. (MEHITS), headquartered in Bassano, Italy, has acquired a stake in Intramech Pty Ltd., a South African company specialising in sales and services for applied HVAC and IT cooling systems

By strengthening its partnership with Intramech, known for its strong sales, service, and engineering expertise in southern Africa, Mitsubishi Electric aims to expand both companies’ technical capabilities while enhancing its one-stop service offerings for applied HVAC and IT cooling systems.

Through the integration of Mitsubishi Electric’s product portfolio with Intramech’s local know-how, the two companies will complement each other in maintenance, equipment engineering, and system integration. Together, they will provide end-to-end services, including design-related technical support, sales, installation, operation, and maintenance, across southern Africa.

The collaboration comes at a time when data centre construction is surging globally, including across Africa, driving increased demand for IT cooling. Data centre operators are also seeking more comprehensive services covering installation, operation, and maintenance of cooling equipment.

According to Mitsubishi Electric, “The new partnerships will allow Mitsubishi Electric to strengthen its presence in southern Africa to deliver more comprehensive customer support and better meet the demand for applied HVAC and IT cooling system solutions, which is forecast to grow significantly in the regional market.”

SABEN supports around 450,000 students across 267 campuses and 46 colleges, delivering digital solutions designed to address the unique needs of the education sector

Teraco, a Digital Realty company and leading provider of interconnection platforms and vendor-neutral colocation data centres, has announced a five-year extension of its support grant to the South African Broadband Education Networks (SABEN) through the Teraco Connect Foundation

Initially signed in 2020, the grant has been extended until 2030, bringing its total value to R17.5 million (approx. US$958,000). This renewed funding supports SABEN’s national initiative to eliminate bandwidth poverty in South Africa’s public schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

SABEN, a non-profit organisation and a key component of South Africa’s National Research and Education Network (NREN), is the sole provider of broadband and connectivity services to public TVET colleges across the country. Currently, SABEN supports around 450,000 students across 267 campuses and 46 colleges, delivering digital solutions designed to address the unique needs of the education sector.

The Teraco Connect Foundation grant enables these institutions to access digital content more efficiently while laying the groundwork for long-term digital strategies.

Garth Scholtz, SABEN general manager, commented, “Thanks to Teraco’s generous support, we are equipped to continue improving the digital transformation potential of each institution, which SABEN can support adequately.

“Our ultimate beneficiaries are the students. We aim to position ourselves as a conduit to the various classroom technologies that can be built on our scalable platform of digital solutions through the NREN services offering or serving as a thought leader on related technologies. We see ourselves playing a large role in building future capacity in the sector, which would not only help the colleges to help themselves better, but hopefully retain the skills in the public sector where they are so desperately needed,” continued Scholtz.

Through the grant extension, SABEN will maintain a physical presence in Teraco’s Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban data centres. This presence connects colleges directly to Platform Teraco, providing access to a rich ecosystem of cloud and content service providers and enabling improved streaming, cloud-based learning, and remote education capabilities.

Jan Hnizdo, Teraco CEO, noted that the initiative reflects the company’s long-term vision for the education sector.

“The Teraco Connect Foundation sees the grant as an investment in the future of this country at a time when all sectors are facing significant challenges. As a leading data centre infrastructure provider, we are proud to invest in education, one of the most important cornerstones to secure the future growth and development of all South Africans.”

Scholtz emphasises the importance of collaboration between education and industry.

“Collaboration with industry is key, and the grant extension from Teraco will assist us in meeting the evolving digital requirements of all the institutions. South Africa’s skills shortage cannot be addressed unless our education system produces a labour force with the right skills to meet the industry’s demand.

“Poverty and inequality can never be eliminated unless the next generation of previously disadvantaged citizens is economically empowered. The role of all these educational institutions will play a significant role and, as SABEN, we need to ensure that this journey is fully enabled.”