Global web giant Google, in partnership with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), has announced the landing of the Equiano subsea internet cable in Lagos, Nigeria.
According to the cable company, the Equiano cable will have a direct impact on connectivity, resulting in faster internet speeds, reduced internet prices and improved user experience in Nigeria.
It will also help support further digital transformation in Nigeria, increase internet speeds by a factor of six, reduce internet retail prices by 21%, boost GDP by US$10.1bn by 2025, boost job creation by 1.6 million jobs by 2025 and save 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum, said the Mauritius-based company.
Juliet Ehimuan, director for West Africa at Google, said: “Google is committed to supporting Africa’s digital transformation and we are excited to see the impact of the landing of Equiano in Nigeria. We’ve worked with established partners and in-country experts to guarantee that Equiano has the greatest potential effect in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
“Equiano is set to make an enduring contribution towards the development of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure and today marks another major step in its development. We look forward to honouring our commitment to be part of Africa’s digital transformation.”
Chris Wood, CEO of WIOCC, added: “We are proud to have been selected by Google as the landing partner for the Equiano cable in Nigeria, landing the cable directly into the OADC Lagos data centre. From there it will be extended to other data centres across Lagos.
“The Equiano cable will deliver improved internet quality, speeds and affordability to the people of Nigeria. However, for the benefits to be fully felt throughout Nigeria, hyperscale connectivity needs to be extended from the Lagos area to the rest of the country. To make this happen, WIOCC is also deploying a comprehensive, hyperscale national fibre network. The network will go live in phases, starting in June and continuing through to the end of the year. When combined with the Equiano cable this network will deliver transformational benefits across the country.”
The Equiano cable will start in Portugal, run more than 12,000km along the west coast of Africa and initially 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 connection between the African continent and Europe, said WIOCC.
tagged in: Chris Wood, Equiano, Google, Juliet Ehimuan, West Indian Ocean Cable Company, WIOCC
