Meta Switches On 2Africa Subsea Cable, Now World’s Longest Open-Access System
Meta and its telecom partners have completed and activated the core 2Africa subsea cable system, a massive infrastructure project expected to transform internet access for more than 3 billion people across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.
The system — built with partners including MTN’s Bayobab, Orange, center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group and WIOCC — is now the world’s longest open-access subsea cable and the first to link East and West Africa in a single continuous loop.
Meta says 2Africa brings more capacity than all existing African subsea cables combined, paving the way for faster, more reliable and more affordable internet across the continent. The network is engineered to support next-generation cloud services and AI-driven applications.
“This is a monumental achievement—not just for Meta, but for the entire continent,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Vice President for Public Policy in Africa, the Middle East & Türkiye. “It shows what’s possible when investment and collaboration come together.”
Governments and regulators from across Africa attended the activation ceremony, including representatives from Nigeria, Kenya, the DRC, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Tanzania.
Meta’s Vice President for Network Investments, Alex-Handrah Aime, said the system was built “open by design” to allow more providers to connect. “Under the surface, it’s engineered for scale, reliability and to power the next wave of cloud and AI experiences,” she said.
The activation marks a significant milestone in Meta’s long-term strategy to support Africa’s digital transformation as demand for high-speed connectivity accelerates.
