- Umoja undersea cable to boost Africa's internet
- Google's first cloud data center in Johannesburg
- Tech giants eye Africa's untapped market potential
- Digital inequality persists despite connectivity strides
- UN targets for affordable broadband by 2025
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TranscriptThe Umoja project, an undersea cable system, stands poised to herald a new era of internet connectivity for Africa, connecting Kenya to South Africa and then under the ocean to Australia. This initiative has captured the attention of the continent and the world, as it promises to bring more reliable internet to Africa, a region where many still face the challenges of sluggish internet speeds and expensive data.
Despite the investments of tech giants like Google and Meta, which have already begun to change the digital landscape with high-performance digital infrastructures, such as cell towers and faster networks, the issue of connectivity remains a considerable hurdle. The launch of the first Google Cloud data center in Johannesburg, South Africa, marks a significant milestone; yet, the journey towards a digitally inclusive Africa is far from complete.
The Umoja project, aptly named after the Swahili term for unity, aims to bridge these divides. It is a testament to the recognition by major US tech companies of the connectivity gaps and the business opportunities that addressing these gaps present. By subsidizing the cost of accessing their services in Africa, companies hope to tap into a market that has yet to be fully realized.
The cable route is an ambitious undertaking, stretching from Kenya through Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and then to South Africa, before diving beneath the Indian Ocean to reach Australia. It's a route that promises to be Africa's first fiber-optic connection to Australia, bringing with it the prospect of better, faster, and cheaper internet. This improvement is expected to have a cascading effect, potentially leading to increased productivity and higher employment rates.
The concept of leapfrogging is central to this narrative. Across Africa, traditional stages of technological development have been bypassed in favor of mobile networks, foregoing landlines. Now, with the expansion of internet infrastructure, high-capacity fiber-optic cables are being laid directly, instead of the copper cables that were the initial stepping stones in the Global North.
However, this progress does not obscure the persistent digital inequality. As some enjoy the fruits of the digital age, those without access, devices, skills, or quality networking find themselves even further marginalized. The increased investment, while promising, has yet to translate into broader socio-economic benefits for the wider population.
A poignant example is the stark contrast in internet usage across the continent, with countries like Morocco at ninety percent usage, while the Central African Republic lags at eleven percent. The disparity is largely due to infrastructure challenges and prohibitive costs. Sub-Saharan Africa is still grappling with some of the world's most expensive mobile data prices, a significant factor in the widening digital divide.
There is a target set by the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development to bring the cost of entry-level broadband services below two percent of monthly gross national income per capita by 2025. Yet, for many countries, this target remains a distant dream, underscoring the need for more aggressive action to combat the digital divide.
In Ghana, the high cost of data is a deterrent, while in Mozambique, citizens have taken to the streets to protest against high internet costs. The role of governments in subsidizing network development and in recognizing the empowering potential of the internet is critical. It is suggested that some governments may be reluctant to promote widespread access, fearing that it could challenge their authority.
Google's Umoja project, combined with its Equiano cable, is part of the broader initiative dubbed Africa Connect. While Google has been reticent on specific details regarding the construction and operational aspects of the Umoja cable, it has revealed partnerships with Liquid Intelligent Technologies for the terrestrial component and SubCom for the submarine portion.
The promise of the Umoja project is not just about connectivity; it is about potential. It represents an opportunity for Africa to become a hub for digital services, a chance to connect not just countries but economies, and ultimately, a step towards ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution are more evenly distributed across the continent.
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