The launch of the 2Africa subsea cable system marks a pivotal milestone in Africa’s journey toward a connected and inclusive digital future. Bayobab, alongside our consortium partners, is proud to celebrate the launch of 2Africa, the world’s largest subsea cable system. Stretching an extraordinary 45,000 kilometres, 2Africa links 33 countries across three continents, enabling access for more than three billion people. This revolutionary system is the first of its kind, providing unparalleled connectivity across the expanse of the vast African coastline.
This monumental achievement is a powerful symbol of collaboration and shared purpose. As a proud MTN Group Company, Bayobab has been instrumental in delivering this transformative META-led infrastructure initiative, designed to bridge the digital divide and accelerate equitable digital transformation across the continent. By investing in the largest number of 2Africa landing sites in Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, Bayobab is focused on delivering the best in connectivity for customers across the continent.
Backbone of Global Connectivity
Subsea cables are the backbone of global connectivity, bridging continents, enabling data exchange, and supporting the digital economy. 2Africa enhances this foundation, placing Africa at the centre of the global technology ecosystem. By linking Africa with Europe, the Middle East and Asia, 2Africa ensures that the continent can fully compete in the global digital economy. 2Africa delivers key innovations in the connectivity sphere. The cable network uses SDM1 technology, which allows for the deployment of up to 16 fibre pairs instead of the 8 fibre pairs supported by older technologies, boosting capacity and diversity. 2Africa is the first system of its size to make use of an aluminium conductor for submarine cable systems, making connectivity at scale even more accessible. It is also the first time Wavelength Selective Switching (WSS)-ROADM is implemented in Africa, providing flexible capacity management. 2Africa is engineered to meet Africa’s growing demand for connectivity, ensuring the continent is well-positioned to take advantage of cutting-edge digital technologies.
Open Access for All
At the core of Bayobab’s vision of a connected Africa is the principle of open access. 2Africa’s capacity is delivered through carrier-neutral data centres and open-access landing stations, ensuring fair and equitable availability to all service providers, including mobile network operators, internet service providers, cloud providers and hyperscalers. This open model fosters competition, reduces barriers to entry, and drives down costs, ultimately delivering the benefits of a modern connected life to more companies and communities across our continent.
Driving Inclusion and Growth
Beyond bandwidth, 2Africa is a catalyst for growth, enabling communities across the continent to leverage digital tools for education, entrepreneurship, healthcare and innovation. The access provided by this subsea cable network empowers entrepreneurs to reach global markets, enables remote learning and work, enhances healthcare delivery through telemedicine, and supports the roll out of vital technologies such as 4G, 5G, AI, and cloud computing. From rural villages to dynamic urban centres, improved connectivity means access to opportunity. By connecting underserved regions, 2Africa provides the infrastructure necessary for an equitable digital transition, ensuring that no community is left behind.
Connecting Africa
For Bayobab, 2Africa is more than a cable, it is a testament to collaboration and a lifeline for digital inclusion. This innovative subsea network reinforces our commitment to connect Africa through resilient, scalable and future-ready infrastructure. 2Africa’s success is rooted in partnership. The consortium led by Meta, includes Bayobab, center3, CMI, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC. Together, we are powering Africa’s digital transformation, one connection at a time.
