14 March 2025

This investment represents a significant advancement in improving digital connectivity between Europe and Africa, aiding in the economic and technological development of the region.

The MEDUSA Submarine Cable System is strategically designed to enhance intercontinental connectivity across the Mediterranean, with plans to expand further into West Africa. This extension will improve interconnectivity between the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, addressing the potential saturation caused by rising connectivity demands. Additionally, it will provide increased redundancy and bolster resilience within critical network infrastructures.

The European Commission, under its Backbone Connectivity for Digital Global Gateways program (CEF – DIG 2023 – GATEWAYS), has awarded a grant of €14.3 million to fund the MEDUSA AFRICA project. The initiative aims to link the Southern European Data Gateway with Atlantic Africa through a 24-fiber pair submarine cable system.

This project will establish a dedicated African connectivity subsystem within the larger Medusa network, which includes conducting marine surveys from a designated Branching Unit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and assessing potential branch routes along the African west coastline.

The MEDUSA AFRICA project is one of 21 initiatives selected in the third round of CEF Digital funding. Notably, another AFR-IX Telecom project, ATMED Malta, which integrates Malta into the Medusa network, has also been awarded €3.7 million in funding.

These grants form part of the European Commission's extensive €420 million investment in digital infrastructure, with €142 million specifically earmarked for submarine cable projects. This ongoing commitment underscores the EU's dedication to enhancing global connectivity and facilitating economic growth across regions.