GOOGLE’S head of government relations and public policy in Africa, Charles Murito, has called on African governments to take stronger measures to protect fibre optic cables, advocating for their classification as critical infrastructure. According to Murito, this would ensure better security for the terrestrial and subsea cables crucial to the continent’s communications, which have been increasingly targeted by criminal syndicates.
Speaking at the Africa Tech conference, Murito highlighted the growing threat of damage to network infrastructure, such as the theft of batteries and generators from tower stations and the vandalism of fibre optic cables. These acts of sabotage have resulted in mounting costs for network providers and pose a significant barrier to the expansion of Africa’s tech infrastructure.
Critical infrastructure for digital growth
‘When fibre optic cables are recognised as a critical investment, it guarantees that malicious damage to these assets will attract stringent legal consequences,’ Murito explained. Google has made substantial investments in the continent’s digital connectivity, notably in intercontinental subsea cables like Equiano, which links Africa to Europe, and the upcoming Umoja project — the first direct fibre optic route between Africa and Australia.
Murito believes that better protection for these vital cables will offer investors greater confidence, helping to lower costs for service providers and accelerating the growth of the tech sector. He also emphasised the importance of ‘harmonisation’ of infrastructure policies across African nations to simplify cable installations, maintenance, and upgrades.
Expanding access to connectivity
Despite the potential of Africa’s digital landscape, mobile internet penetration stood at just 27 percent in 2023. One of the main obstacles is the inconsistent regulatory environment across countries, with varying rules around permissions to lay and maintain infrastructure. This lack of standardisation has slowed the rollout of fibre optic networks and led to inefficiencies.
In South Africa, the government and regulatory bodies have taken steps to address the issue, urging law enforcement to arrest those responsible for attacks on infrastructure. However, there has been no proposal yet to categorise fibre optic cables as critical infrastructure.
As the demand for digital services in Africa grows, the protection and expansion of fibre optic networks will be pivotal to the continent’s economic future. Google’s call for stronger protections and regulatory harmonisation could be a turning point in ensuring that Africa remains competitive in the global digital economy.
