CSquared, a major investor in Google’s Equiano submarine cable, is building a terrestrial fiber corridor across ECOWAS to strengthen connectivity and protect against undersea cable disruptions. In an interview with BusinessDay, Chief Commercial Officer Willem Marais said the project will link key coastal hubs—Lagos, Accra, and Abidjan—while extending access to landlocked countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Marais noted that while new systems like Equiano and 2Africa are enhancing submarine capacity, true resilience depends on robust terrestrial infrastructure connecting cable landing points inland. CSquared is working with Phase 3 Telecom in Nigeria and Espin in Benin to deliver the Accra–Lagos route, aiming to reduce broadband costs and improve reliability.
With over $100 million already invested, the company’s strategy supports Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. Nigeria, planning 90,000km of fiber rollout this year, is central to CSquared’s regional ambitions. Marais called for stronger public–private partnerships to ensure sustainable, shared infrastructure across West Africa.
