SEACOM, a trailblazer in Africa’s digital infrastructure, has announced the launch of another subsea cable system, SEACOM 2.0, set to redefine connectivity across the Indian Ocean Basin, Middle East, Mediterranean, and Southern Europe. Unveiled at Submarine Networks World 2025 in Singapore in September, the project marks a bold step towards securing Africa’s role in the global digital economy and addressing the soaring demand for AI, cloud, and real-time data services.
SEACOM 2.0 continues the company’s pioneering work. In 2009, SEACOM’s first privately owned subsea cable to connect countries around the Indian Ocean slashed connectivity costs by 300% and facilitated a wave of innovation in cloud services, fintech, and tech ecosystems. Now, as the region sees unprecedented growth, home to 2.9 billion people across 33 nations, with youthful populations and a surging middle class, SEACOM 2.0 aims to support digital infrastructure for decades to come.
By 2030, networks are expected to carry over 10 billion AI agents, and SEACOM 2.0 will serve as the backbone for this AI-driven growth. Looking further ahead, the system is engineered to support a world population of 10 billion by 2050, with countries around the Indian Ocean Basin projected to be home to half of humanity.
SEACOM 2.0 will introduce a 48-fibre-pair architecture, a leap in design tailored for high-capacity low-latency AI workloads. Cable landing stations will transform into AI communication nodes, linking African nations’ sovereign AI infrastructure to global data hubs.
Beyond capacity, SEACOM 2.0 represents a commitment to resilience. After recent cable disruptions exposed vulnerabilities, the project is adopting diversified routes closer to African shores and open, carrier-neutral landing points to reduce risks and enhance security. This design will support uninterrupted connectivity and reinforce Africa’s digital sovereignty. It is also a strategic decision that will transform coastal nations from passive endpoints into active custodians of global digital flow.
For nations along the route, SEACOM 2.0 is a catalyst for growth. It will offer the potential to:
- Boost GDP – subsea infrastructure has already lifted African nations’ GDP per capita by over 6%; SEACOM 2.0 aims to multiply this impact
- Fuel smart infrastructure – from IoT-enabled ports to AI-driven city planning, the network will support real-time analytics and edge computing
- Empower SMEs – by lowering barriers to enterprise-grade connectivity, SEACOM 2.0 will open doors for small businesses to access cloud tools, engage customers globally, and join digital trade platforms.
The system will also act as a gateway for landlocked regions, in the SADC and East African markets for example, reducing reliance on single routes and positioning countries as hubs for content and applications providers. Connectivity is core to the digital and AI age.
SEACOM 2.0: 25 000 km, 48 fibre pairs, 2 000 Tbps, + 15 countries , + 20 landings.
Speaking at the launch, Alpheus Mangale, Group CEO of SEACOM said: “SEACOM 2.0 is the foundation of a shared AI-driven future. This project is about connecting people and ensuring Africa and its neighbours control their digital destinies. By enabling open access and regional integration, we are creating a system that is resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.”
Furthermore, SEACOM says the project reflects a belief that technological progress should elevate all humanity, not serving only the interests of the few. As the world stands on the threshold of artificial general intelligence, SEACOM 2.0 will enable countries around the Indian Ocean Basin to participate equally in shaping what comes next.
“Success,” Mangale added, “will hinge on strategic partnerships with governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. Over the past year, SEACOM has engaged with leaders across existing and potential landing countries to align with their regulations, co-invest in infrastructure, and maximise local value.“
For more information visit: www.seacom.com
