A New Submarine Cable, Medusa, is Being Developed to Lower Telecoms Expenses in West Africa

AFR-IX Telecom, a leading infrastructure operator, is extending the Medusa submarine cable system to the region with €14.3 million ($15.6 million) in funding from the European Commission. This initiative, called Medusa Africa, is expected to significantly lower telecoms expenses in West Africa while improving digital connectivity across the continent.

The Medusa submarine cable is not just any ordinary cable; it’s part of a broader initiative to strengthen connectivity between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. This expansion will help ensure that networks in West Africa are more reliable and less prone to congestion as demand for internet services continues to grow. Essentially, it means that more people will have access to better internet without the fear of it slowing down.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project is its potential to reduce the cost of internet services. A recent World Bank study found that when international internet bandwidth doubles in Africa, the price of fixed broadband internet typically drops by about 7%, and mobile broadband prices decrease by around 13%. This could be a huge relief for many West Africans who have been complaining about the high cost of internet services.

In fact, over the past few years, there have been protests in countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire over the high cost of internet. According to the International Telecommunication Union, in 2023, the cost of fixed internet and mobile data in Africa was way above what people could afford, taking up 14.8% and 4.48% of the average person’s income, respectively. The goal of Medusa is to bring these costs down to make internet more accessible to everyone.

While we don’t yet know exactly when the work will start or how much data the new cable can handle, AFR-IX Telecom is already planning marine studies to explore potential routes along the West African coast. This includes a dedicated connection to the Democratic Republic of Congo and possibly other coastal countries.

The Medusa project is part of a larger effort by the European Commission to invest in digital infrastructure across Africa. With projects like this, the hope is that better internet will not only make life easier but also create new opportunities for businesses, education, and healthcare in West Africa.

As people in West Africa look forward to this upgrade, they can expect significant improvements in their internet experience. The new submarine cable Medusa in West Africa is set to become a major milestone in the region’s digital journey, helping to lower telecoms expenses and bring people closer to the rest of the world.

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