The EU-backed Medusa undertaking goals to revolutionise digital connectivity within the Mediterranean area by establishing an 8,700 km submarine cable linking North African nations—Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt—and promising 5G web entry by 2026.
In December 2023, Benghazi’s seafront, identified for parkour, was chosen as a pivotal touchdown web site for the cable, connecting southern Europe with North Africa and doubtlessly extending to Asia.
Traditionally, North Africa wants a extra unified submarine cable infrastructure, leaving Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya with outdated, low-bandwidth connections in comparison with Morocco and Egypt’s higher hyperlinks to Europe and Asia. The Medusa cable, anticipated to be operational within the japanese Mediterranean by 2025 and totally accomplished by 2026, goals to fill this hole amid hovering web demand.
Regardless of geopolitical and financial challenges—similar to strained Algeria-Morocco relations and Libyan civil battle—the undertaking, supported by $370 million from the EU and European Funding Financial institution underneath the $320 billion International Gateway technique, is about to turn into the primary submarine cable connecting all 5 North African nations.
Miguel Angel Acero of AFR-IX Telecom describes Medusa as a “carriers’ service,” offering infrastructure for telecom firms with out competing immediately. This mannequin, funded by the EU, goals to minimise regional conflicts.
Whereas the cable will enhance web capability and help the 5G rollout, as a result of market dynamics, it could take longer to decrease prices. Nonetheless, it might pave the way in which for future digital development and knowledge centre growth, significantly in Morocco, the place Tunisia and Algeria face regulatory hurdles.
Regardless of challenges, Medusa represents a big step towards bridging North Africa’s digital divide, positioning the area for higher integration into the worldwide digital economic system.
