The core 2Africa subsea cable system, the first cable to connect East and West Africa in a single, continuous system, linking Africa with the Middle East, South Asia and Europe, has been completed and activated, marking a defining moment for Africa’s digital future.

2Africa, architected and led by Meta in collaboration with partners including Bayobab (MTN Group), Orange, center3, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group and WIOCC, is the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system, spanning three continents over 33 countries, connecting three-billion people, including Africa’s 1.4-billion people over the next decade.

The subsea system lays the foundation for transformative new AI experiences, economic growth and digital inclusion across the continent, bringing more subsea capacity than all of Africa’s subsea cables combined, delivering faster, more reliable and cost-effective Internet access to consumers and enterprises alike.

“The completion of 2Africa is a monumental achievement, not just for Meta, but for the entire continent. This project demonstrates what is possible when vision, investment and collaboration come together, unlocking new opportunities for millions of Africans, empowering businesses and helping to accelerate economic growth,” said Meta Africa, Middle East and Türkiye public policy VP Kojo Boakye, reaffirming Meta’s commitment to investing in Africa’s digital future.

With the completion of 2Africa, millions of Africans will experience improved Internet speeds, greater reliability and expanded access to digital services, while enterprises will benefit from enhanced connectivity, driving innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness.

2Africa was built to be open by design so more providers can connect, and people and businesses can get faster, more dependable service, said Meta network investments VP Alex-Handrah Aime.

“Under the surface, it is engineered for scale, reliability and to power the next wave of cloud and AI experiences. Above the surface, it is about everyday impact, from a student downloading a textbook in seconds to small businesses and entrepreneurs reaching new customers online. 2Africa lays the groundwork for inclusive growth today and the innovations we have not imagined yet.”

By leading the design, funding and deployment of the world’s longest open‑access subsea cable to date, Meta and its partners are laying the foundation for faster, more reliable Internet, new digital jobs and the next generation of online experiences.

At an opening event and awards ceremony, Meta recognised consortium members for their outstanding collaboration in delivering 2Africa. These included ASN sales and marketing VP Paul Gabla; Bayobab CEO Mazen Mroué; Vodacom CTO Dejan Kastelic; Orange Middle East and Africa networks transformation and cost optimisation Philippe Mendribil; and WIOCC CEO Chris Wood.