• AFR-IX Telecom obtains U.S. support for the Medusa submarine cable system's expansion into Africa.
• The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) funds a feasibility study for the project, aiming to enhance digital access for millions.
• The Medusa cable, initially EU-backed, will connect 22 African countries, boosting connectivity and data security.

Infrastructure operator AFR-IX Telecom has secured U.S. government support for the African extension of its Medusa submarine cable system. Initially designed for Mediterranean connectivity, the project aims to improve digital access for hundreds of millions across 22 African nations. Submarine cables carry the vast majority of global internet data, making investment crucial, especially in Africa, where a significant population lacks reliable internet access.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced last week a financing agreement for a feasibility study on this expansion. This study will evaluate the project's technical and commercial viability, recommend standards, and identify secure options. According to the USTDA statement, the initiative seeks not only to increase connectivity but also to bolster data security and privacy, counter malicious threats to critical infrastructure, and strengthen long-term digital partnerships between Africa and the United States.

Norman Albi, Managing Director of AFR-IX and the Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System, said the project will revolutionize digital connectivity along Africa’s Atlantic coast by unlocking opportunities for innovation, commerce, and social inclusion, while USTDA’s backing serves as a catalyst that turns the vision into a bankable project and accelerates the partnerships required to deliver it.

In mid-March 2025, AFR-IX Telecom had already announced an initial extension of Medusa into West Africa. The European Commission supported this phase with €14.3 million (approximately $16.8 million) in funding. Weeks later, Gabon signed an agreement to connect to the cable by 2028.

The Medusa system promises a total capacity of 480 Tb/s, utilizing 24 fiber pairs with approximately 20 Tb/s per pair. Its implementation is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025. Sectoral studies and analyses indicate that increased submarine cable capacity can lead to significantly lower mobile broadband tariffs and foster greater adoption of digital services. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that a substantial portion of Africa's population remains without internet access.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum