• Repeated attacks on fiber infrastructure disrupt telecom services

• Incidents highlight vulnerability of a recently deployed national network

• Authorities call for coordinated action to protect critical infrastructure

The Central African Republic is facing a surge in vandalism targeting its national fiber optic network, raising concerns about the stability of a key piece of digital infrastructure.

In a March 13 statement, the Ministry of Digital Economy, Posts and Telecommunications reported two separate incidents. On the Bangui–Boali route, the fiber cable was dug up and burned, causing significant damage. On the Carnot–Berbérati axis, the cable was cut with machetes by unidentified individuals.

The ministry added that Cameroon’s state-owned operator Camtel, which provides international connectivity to the Central African Republic, has also reported similar incidents. These include damage along the Limbé–Batoké segment and near Bangui–Boali, about 12 kilometers from the capital. Local media have also reported additional cases.

The statement said the attacks disrupted telecommunications services, affecting both residents and businesses that rely on fiber connectivity. Technical teams have been deployed to assess the damage, secure the sites, and restore service.

A strategic but vulnerable network

The attacks are targeting a relatively new infrastructure. The national fiber backbone was commissioned in 2023 as part of the Central African Backbone (CAB) project, which aims to connect countries in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) through high-speed telecom networks.

In the Central African Republic, about 935 kilometers of fiber have been deployed to link the country with the Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The network serves both as a national backbone and as a gateway to international connectivity for the landlocked country, which has no direct access to undersea cables.

Before the network came online, nearly all international capacity relied on satellite connections, according to a World Bank report published in 2020. That setup limited competition among operators, kept prices high, and reduced the market’s appeal to private investors due to high costs.

In this context, any damage to the network can have wide-reaching consequences. Beyond localized disruptions, some incidents can trigger broader outages affecting large parts of the country, or even the entire network.

A shared responsibility to protect infrastructure

Authorities say protecting fiber infrastructure is a collective responsibility. Gauthier Guezewane Gbowe, an advisor at the Ministry of Digital Economy, warned that the situation is concerning and requires a rapid and coordinated response to safeguard critical infrastructure.

The ministry has called on local authorities and security forces to step up monitoring of strategic sites. Residents are urged to report suspicious activity near installations, while operators and technical partners are encouraged to strengthen security measures and preventive maintenance.

Other African countries facing similar challenges have taken additional steps. In Nigeria, where about 50,000 fiber cuts were reported in 2024, the government has introduced regulations criminalizing damage to telecom infrastructure.

In Gambia, a policy adopted in April 2023 sets a minimum fine of 500,000 dalasis (about $6,800) for any damage to the network. The state-owned telecom operator has also introduced a reward system for reporting incidents.

Across the continent, industry players—including operators, regulators, and governments—are strengthening legal frameworks, running awareness campaigns, and improving coordination to better protect critical telecom infrastructure.

Isaac K. Kassouwi