Niger, Algeria Launch 100 Gb/s Fiber Optic Link
Algeria and Niger officially inaugurated a new 100 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) fiber optic interconnection on October 6, establishing a direct link at their shared border near Assamaka, Niger. The launch ceremony saw the participation of Algeria's Minister of Communication, Sidi-Ali Zerrouki, and Niger's Minister of New Information and Communication Technologies, Hamani Kargné. This advanced connection extends from In Guezzam on the Algerian side to Arlit-Agadez in Niger, immediately offering a robust capacity for optimal data flow.
The primary objective of this interconnection is to meet current communication and exchange demands for both countries, facilitating the seamless circulation of data. According to Niger's Communication Minister, the initiative aims to connect populations, administrations, and businesses to national and global networks through reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective telecommunication services. This strategic infrastructure is considered the most significant network of its kind within the sub-region, reflecting revitalized cooperation between Algeria and Niger following Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani's visit to Algeria in February 2026.
Beyond immediate benefits, the project supports broader regional connectivity goals, including the deployment of fiber optic cables along sections of the Trans-Saharan road, linking Algeria to the north, Nigeria to the south, and Chad to the east. Additionally, the Nigerien Minister noted plans for the construction and expansion of a national data center and the strengthening of fiber optic junctions with Burkina Faso and Benin. This interconnected network reinforces Algeria’s position as a key communication hub, fostering regional development and digital inclusion.
