Connectivity Demands: WIOCC Lands Google’s Equiano Internet Cable in Nigeria
Tech giant Google and cable landing partner WIOCC on Thursday unveiled state-of-the-art Equiano subsea cable Landing in Lagos, Nigeria, to meet connectivity demands.
The launch which took place in Lagos had in attendance stakeholders across the tech and communication industry including the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, Oba Elegushi, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Represented), Minister for trade and investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Federal Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami represented by Executive Commissioner, St
akeholder Management, NCC Adeleke Morounfolu Adewolu, Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC, Chris Wood, Director, Google West Africa Juliet Ehimuan and other top dignitaries.
Equiano is named after Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano.
Google revealed the Equiano cable will help support further digital transformation in Nigeria, a country which has produced five start-up unicorns (companies now valued at more than $1 billion).in the past five years.
The Equiano cable which emanates in Portugal, runs more than 12,000km along the West Coast of Africa and initially lands in Lomé, Togo; Lagos, Nigeria; Swakopmund, Namibia; Rupert’s Bay, Saint Helena and Melkbosstrand, South Africa; establishing a valuable new high-capacity connection between the African continent and Europe.
With a design capacity roughly 20 times larger than any other cable currently serving the region, the Equiano subsea internet cable will have a direct impact on connectivity, resulting in faster internet speeds, reduced internet prices and improved user experience in Nigeria.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while speaking at the event lauded the landing of the cable in Lagos and assured investors of a conducive environment and policies that guarantee returns on investments.
Director, Google West Africa Juliet Ehimuan while speaking at the event said: “Google is committed to supporting Africa’s digital transformation and we are excited to see the impact of the landing of Equiano in Nigeria. We’ve worked with established partners and in-country experts to guarantee that Equiano has the greatest potential effect in Nigeria and throughout Africa.”
“Equiano is set to make an enduring contribution towards the development of Nigeria’s communications infrastructure and today marks another major step in its development. We look forward to honouring our commitment to be part of Africa’s digital transformation,” Ehimuan added.
Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC, Chris Wood said: “We are proud to have been selected by Google as the landing partner for the Equiano cable in Nigeria, landing the cable directly into the OADC Lagos data centre. From there it will be extended to other data centres across Lagos.”
He added: “The Equiano cable will deliver improved internet quality, speeds and affordability to the people of Nigeria. However, for the benefits to be fully felt throughout Nigeria, hyperscale connectivity needs to be extended from the Lagos area to the rest of the country. To make this happen, WIOCC is also deploying a comprehensive, hyperscale national fibre network. The network will go live in phases, starting in June and continuing through to the end of the year. When combined with the Equiano cable this network will deliver transformational benefits across the country”.
How Nigerians will benefit from Equiano
- Increase internet speeds by a factor of six
- Reduce internet retail prices by 21%
- Increase internet penetration by six percentage points
- Boost GDP by USD 10.1 billion by 2025
- Boost job creation by 1.6 million jobs by 2025
