• MTN, Africa's biggest mobile-phone operator, has announced plans to build an R6.09bn( US$314,160,000) inland fibre cable that will connect ten countries
  • The project is part of MTN's plan to carve out its infrastructure wholesale firm GlobalConnect, which is being rebranded as Bayobab, and aims to roll out a total of 135,000 kilometers of fiber by 2025, generating up to $1 billion in revenue
  • The East2West project, which is being undertaken by MTN GlobalConnect and the Africa50 infrastructure investment agency, is set to begin construction in the fourth quarter of this year

Harare-The African continent is on the brink of a digital revolution, and as internet penetration rates continue to soar, telecommunication companies are racing to expand their services to meet the demand. MTN, Africa's biggest mobile-phone operator, has announced plans to build a R6.09bn inland fibre cable that will connect ten countries, adding 20,000 kilometers of new cable and interconnecting over 100,000 kilometers of fibre. This move is expected to have a significant impact on Africa's internet connectivity and the continent's digital economy.

The East2West project, which is being undertaken by MTN GlobalConnect and the Africa50 infrastructure investment agency, is set to begin construction in the fourth quarter of this year. The project is part of MTN's plan to carve out its infrastructure wholesale firm GlobalConnect, which is being rebranded as Bayobab, and aims to roll out a total of 135,000 kilometers of fiber by 2025, generating up to $1 billion in revenue.The need for improved internet connectivity in Africa cannot be overstated. MTN estimates that the continent needs at least 500,000 more kilometers of fibre optic cables to meet the growing demand for internet services. With the East2West project, MTN is taking a significant step towards closing this gap and improving internet connectivity across the continent.

The implications of this project are far-reaching. Improved internet connectivity will drive the growth of e-commerce, digital banking, and other online services, creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs across Africa. It will also enhance access to education and healthcare services, particularly in rural areas that have traditionally been underserved by these services.

Moreover, the East2West project will create jobs and boost local economies, as the construction and maintenance of the fibre cable will require skilled labour and local resources. This will lead to increased economic activity and improved standards of living for communities along the cable's route.

MTN's move to expand its infrastructure and improve internet connectivity in Africa is in line with the efforts of other telecom companies and tech giants such as Google and Facebook, who are also investing heavily in efforts to provide better connections to the continent's young, fast-growing, and tech-savvy population. These investments are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the digital economy in Africa, which is projected to be worth $180 billion by 2025.

However, there are challenges that must be overcome to ensure the success of these initiatives. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of regulatory frameworks and policies that support the growth of the digital economy. Governments across Africa must work closely with telecom companies and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation, investment, and growth in the digital sector.

In conclusion, MTN's East2West project is a significant step towards improving internet connectivity in Africa and driving the growth of the continent's digital economy. The project will create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, improve access to education and healthcare services, and boost local economies. However, to fully realize the potential of these investments, governments must work closely with stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the growth of the digital economy in Africa.

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