The Smart Africa Alliance has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with pan-African digital connectivity solutions company Bayobab and infrastructure investment platform Africa50 to support the fiber optic cable initiative Project East to West with regulatory and policy engagements.
The Smart Africa Alliance currently represents 39 member countries across Africa and is tasked with the agenda to drive and accelerate the digital transformation of the continent.
Project East to West is a significant initiative that aims to establish a comprehensive terrestrial fiber optic network to connect landlocked African countries. This strategic partnership acknowledges the critical importance of collaborative efforts across the African continent in building telecommunication infrastructure, particularly in meeting the growing demand for affordable connectivity solutions.
Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab Group, expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with the Smart Africa Alliance for Project East to West. He emphasized the power of pan-African collaboration in developing tailored connectivity solutions for African development. This collaboration reflects a unified commitment among organizations dedicated to narrowing the digital divide and enhancing connectivity infrastructure across the continent.
The partnership recognizes the vital role of pan-African collaboration in constructing telecommunication highways, essential to meet the growing demand and the need for affordable connectivity solutions in Africa.
It also underscores the imperative of bridging the digital divide by extending networks from Bayobab’s 16 subsea cable systems circled around Africa, connecting landlocked regions and creating more awareness of the initiative across the continent.
This will, the statement said, connect landlocked regions and raise awareness of the initiative continent-wide. Improved terrestrial fiber connectivity is expected to directly contribute to economic growth, support businesses, enable e-commerce, and provide broader access to educational resources, fostering development. The vision of Project East to West aligns seamlessly with the Smart Africa Alliance’s mission to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development and promote regional integration.
Africa50, a key partner in Project East to West, emphasized the pivotal role of the project in advancing regional integration and socio-economic development. This transformational initiative is crucial for creating a future where African youth have opportunities to learn, share, create, and actively participate in building resilient societies through innovation and new technologies. Additionally, projects like this contribute directly to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to Demba Diallo, Managing Director and Head of Project Development at Africa50.
