Google-funded internet cable, Equiano, has landed in Togo

As part of the fulfilment of a promise it made to invest $1 billion in Africa in October last year, Google, with the Togolese Republic and CSquared, in a joint statement to Technext, says Equiano, a subsea internet cable that will provide faster and more affordable internet to Africans, has landed in Togo, further accelerating the digitalisation of the country. The cable goes from Portugal to South Africa to Togo.

“The subsea cable will have a direct impact on Internet connectivity in Togo, resulting in high-speed improved and affordable internet access for millions of Togolese and West Africans in the region,” the statement in part reads.

The statement says that Google will expand the reach of Equiano to South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St. Helena later this year.

This move by Google will drastically improve the economy of the country, creating over 37,000 jobs and increasing the country’s economic output by USD 351 million between 2022 and 2025, a report commissioned by Google by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics shows.

The statement also says that Togo currently ranks “as the sixth-best country in Africa regarding ease of doing business” which positioned it as one of the best options for Google to kick off its project. While Togo has been lauded by the world bank just last year as the fifth-best in Africa, in terms of economic governance efficacy, in its Africa’s Pulse report, Business Insider puts Togo in number eight of its best African countries to do business as of October last year.

Nitin Gajria, the managing director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa said that the tech giant is thrilled that Equiano has landed first in Togo.

“The landing of Equiano affirms Google’s commitment to the African continent, to support Africa’s digital transformation,” he said. He also added that Google is “thrilled that Togo will be Equiano’s first landing on the African continent, as it aligns with the country’s continuing efforts to promote digital inclusion for Africa. We look forward to working closely with the Togolese Government and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation as they continue to build their digital infrastructure.”

Cina Lawson, the Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation for Togo said that  “broadening the access to high-speed internet is a fundamental part in our national digital development process as we strive towards achieving the objectives set out in our Digital 2025 Strategy.”

“As Togo continues to earn its place on the regional and international stage as a digital hub and a favourable ecosystem for innovation and investment, our collaboration with Google and CSquared in successfully landing Equiano further demonstrates Togo’s commitment to enhancing public and social services for all citizens so that they can benefit economically,” the minister said.

The statement also says that Equiano will offer “20 times more bandwidth than any other cable currently serving West Africa,” a move that will catapult Togo to the country with the fastest and most efficient internet in the region.