Regional Digital Corridor Opens Between Agadez and In Guezzam
Algeria and Niger officially inaugurated a new 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) fiber optic link on Monday, October 5, 2026, connecting Agadez in Niger to In Guezzam on the Algerian side. Niger's Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, Hamani Kargné, oversaw the launch in Agadez, accompanied by an Algerian delegation including Ambassador Ahmed Saadi. This development marks a significant step in bilateral telecommunications cooperation, designed to strengthen Niger's international connectivity and elevate the northern region's role in trans-Saharan digital exchanges.
The newly established corridor, passing through the Agadez-Assamaka axis, will initially operate at 100 Gbps, enhancing the performance of Niger Télécom's national backbone. Algérie Télécom notably contributed by donating essential transmission equipment, providing Niger with an additional international route for data transmission and reducing its reliance on existing pathways. This initiative forms part of the broader Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone project, aiming to link North Africa with several sub-Saharan countries to improve internet access quality and support digital services.
Agadez is strategically positioned on routes connecting the Maghreb to the Sahel, and this new infrastructure is set to enhance its appeal for digital activities, training, and telecommunication services. Beyond technical installation, the project supports Niger's digital transformation across administration, education, health, and the private sector, also improving connectivity between its northern zones and the rest of the country. Furthermore, cooperation between the two nations extends to developing the necessary skills for operating and maintaining digital infrastructure, including the establishment of a competence center at Niger’s École Supérieure des Communications Électroniques et de la Poste, benefiting from Algérie Télécom's expertise to train telecommunications technicians.
