Meta, in partnership with Bayobab (MTN Group), Orange, Center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC, announced the completion and activation of the Core 2Africa subsea cable system.
The 2Africa system is set to transform connectivity for 3 billion people, including Africa’s 1.4 billion people, over the next decade. With cutting-edge technology, 2Africa will bring more subsea capacity than all of Africa’s subsea cables combined, delivering faster, more reliable, and cost-effective internet access to consumers and enterprises alike.
This is the first cable to connect East and West Africa in a single, continuous system, linking Africa with the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. This marks a historic milestone in digital infrastructure, establishing what is currently the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system, spanning three continents over 33 countries, connecting 3 billion people.
2Africa lays the foundation for transformative new AI experiences, economic growth, and digital inclusion across the continent—with its completion serving as a testament to what can be achieved through visionary investment and robust collaboration.
“The completion of 2Africa is a monumental achievement—not just for Meta, but for the entire continent. This project demonstrates what’s possible when vision, investment and collaboration come together—unlocking new opportunities for millions of Africans, empowering businesses and helping to accelerate economic growth,” said vice president in charge of public policy, in Africa, Middle East and Turkiye at Meta, Kojo Boakye.
“At Meta, we are proud to be the architects of this transformative infrastructure and remain deeply committed to investing in Africa’s digital future, in partnership with the ecosystem,” added Boakye.
With the completion of 2Africa, millions of Africans will experience improved internet speeds, greater reliability and expanded access to digital services. Enterprises will benefit from enhanced connectivity, driving innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness.
The event brought together multiple stakeholders from across the continent, including the Minister of Post, Telecoms and Digital Economy of the DRC, Hon. Jose Mpanda Kabangu; telecommunications regulators from Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola; as well as other senior officials, including those from Kenya and Nigeria.
“Completing the core 2Africa system is a milestone for open, reliable capacity spanning three continents. We built 2Africa to be open by design so more providers can connect, and people and businesses can get faster, more dependable service,” said Alex-Handrah Aime, vice president, Network Investments at Meta.
“Under the surface, it’s engineered for scale, reliability and to power the next wave of cloud and AI experiences. Above the surface, it’s about everyday impact—from a student downloading a textbook in seconds to small businesses and entrepreneurs reaching new customers online. 2Africa lays the groundwork for inclusive growth today and the innovations we haven’t imagined yet.”
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where Meta recognized consortium members—including Paul Gabla (VP, Sales and Marketing, ASN), Mazen Mroué (CEO, Bayobab), Dejan Kastelic (CTO, Vodacom), Philippe Mendribil (MEA Networks Transformation and Cost Optimization, Orange), and Chris Wood (CEO, WIOCC)—for their outstanding collaboration in delivering 2Africa.
