USTDA Advances Trusted Digital Infrastructure in Africa with Subsea Cable Project

Arlington, VA - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is supporting the security of international data communications by funding a feasibility study to extend the Medusa Submarine Cable System to Africa's Atlantic Coastline, increasing digital access for hundreds of millions of people in up to 22 African countries. In a signing ceremony held on Capitol Hill, USTDA and AFR-IX Telecom (AFR-IX), an infrastructure and telecommunications operator focused on digital infrastructure in Africa, announced their collaboration on the project, which will enhance data security and privacy, counter efforts by malign global actors to compromise critical infrastructure, and strengthen long-term digital partnerships with the United States.

"Subsea cables are the foundation for Africa's digital future. Secure, reliable digital infrastructure provides the essential bandwidth and foundation to enable widespread use of a new generation of technologies like AI, quantum computing, and 6G solutions. These are all areas where U.S. companies provide trusted solutions and where USTDA is focusing its attention," said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA's Acting Director. "USTDA's involvement in this project will help secure it against untrusted infrastructure providers that could manipulate markets, intercept data, and conduct surveillance to the detriment of the United States and our African partners."

This USTDA-funded assistance will assess the technical and commercial viability of extending the Medusa subsea fiberoptic cable from the Mediterranean Sea to Africa's Atlantic coastline. It will leverage U.S. expertise to recommend U.S. standards and alternatives to untrusted infrastructure suppliers, advancing shared priorities for secure and standards-based connectivity while generating opportunities to deploy U.S. solutions to the project. By providing high-speed access, the cable will also facilitate essential services like cloud computing, government communications, and financial transactions.

USTDA-funded programming is carried out by U.S. companies. Businesses interested in submitting proposals for the feasibility study should visit https://www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

Norman Albi, CEO of AFR-IX and Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System said: "The Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System will be transformational for digital connectivity along Africa's Atlantic coast, creating new opportunities for innovation, commerce and social inclusion in the region. USTDA's support is truly catalytic - turning an ambitious vision into a bankable project and accelerating the partnerships needed to bring it to life. At Medusa, we are proud to receive USTDA's support, which underscores the importance of adding the United States as a partner to Medusa Africa."

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency strengthens U.S. national security by developing overseas infrastructure projects that make America safer, stronger and more prosperous. USTDA is the starting point for critical infrastructure. By funding the upfront work that sets projects in motion, the Agency accelerates the deployment of trusted U.S. technology to advance the shared priorities of the United States and its overseas partners.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | [email protected]