In a bid to strengthen the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure across Africa, Globacom partnered with Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to host the 2025 International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja. The event, held on Wednesday and Thursday, was organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC).
The summit convened global stakeholders in telecommunications to discuss how to enhance the resilience of submarine cables, which are essential for international data traffic. Globacom, as the sole owner of the Glo 1 underwater cable, played a key role in the event, emphasizing the importance of robust networks to ensure uninterrupted service for customers.
Glo 1: A Critical Backbone for West Africa
Globacom’s Glo 1 cable, which spans from Europe to Africa, has been a cornerstone of digital connectivity in West Africa since its launch in 2010. The cable’s significance became particularly evident in 2024 when widespread fiber cuts disrupted both public and private services throughout the region. Thanks to Glo 1’s durability and ongoing maintenance, it remained operational during this period, providing a vital lifeline to the affected areas. Recently, the cable’s capacity was upgraded to handle the growing demand for reliable connectivity in the region.
Government’s Role in Digital Resilience
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, opened the summit, underscoring the critical role that submarine cables play in the global economy. He noted that these cables are responsible for carrying over 95% of international data traffic, linking continents and driving modern economic activities. However, he also warned that despite their importance, submarine cables are vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and cyber threats. In response, the Nigerian government has taken steps to protect telecommunications infrastructure, designating it as Critical National Infrastructure and working to bolster digital resilience across sectors.
Global Investment in Connectivity
In her address, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, highlighted the growing reliance on digital infrastructure worldwide and the need for continued investment in submarine cables. She emphasized that these cables are crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring that the global digital economy remains interconnected.
Overcoming Challenges
Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair of the ITU Advisory Board, also spoke at the summit, addressing the challenges of preventing cable outages and enhancing resilience. She stressed the importance of maintaining the technical resources—such as repair ships, stockpiles, and replacement parts—necessary for regions with lower submarine cable densities. Additionally, she advocated for aligning regulatory actions with resilience requirements to prevent disruptions in the cable network.
Fostering Collaboration
The summit also featured a series of panel discussions on submarine cable resilience, focusing on key issues like disaster preparedness, technical innovation, and the future of undersea cable infrastructure. With input from experts around the world, the event served as a crucial platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among key players in the digital and telecommunications sectors.
Conclusion
Globacom’s leadership in the 2025 Submarine Cable Resilience Summit highlights the growing need to safeguard digital infrastructure, particularly in regions like West Africa, where submarine cables are vital to economic growth. With governments, private companies, and international organizations working together, the future of submarine cable resilience looks brighter, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for the digital economy.
