Trans-Saharan Fiber-Optic Link Operational, Boosts Regional Connectivity

Algeria and Niger have officially launched the operational phase of the Trans-Saharan Fiber-Optic Backbone section connecting the two nations. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, September 6, in Assamaka, Niger, near the Algerian border town of In Guezzam. Algerian Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki and Niger’s Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies Hamani Kargné oversaw the event, underscoring the strategic cross-border nature of this critical infrastructure linking In Guezzam, Algeria, with Arlit-Agadez in Niger.

This significant project was brought to fruition through the technical expertise of teams from Algérie Télécom and Niger Télécom, the national telecommunications operators of both countries. The infrastructure is designed with scalability in mind, allowing its transmission capacity to be progressively increased in response to rising demand. Upon activation, it provides an initial capacity of 100 gigabits per second. The initiative is a key component of the Trans-Saharan Backbone Connectivity Committee, drawing inspiration from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and involves six African nations: Algeria, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Chad.

Minister Zerrouki expressed hope that this technological corridor would serve as a structural asset, bolstering interconnection among the telecommunications networks of the participating countries. He highlighted the infrastructure's potential to facilitate the flow of data and knowledge, expand access to high-speed internet, and support the region’s ongoing digital transformation. Furthermore, the project is anticipated to boost economic exchanges, enhance digital public services, and reinforce the digital sovereignty of African nations, aligning with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's emphasis on African self-reliance and regional integration.