The Trans-Saharan Optic Fibre Broadband Project is a major terrestrial backbone designed to span over 4,500 km, connecting Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania. The project utilizes G.654.D fiber, optimized for long-haul transmission, and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology to provide high-capacity bandwidth. It aims to create an alternative digital gateway to Europe via Algiers, linking landlocked Sahel countries to multiple submarine cable landing points. The design includes open-access Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and Tier III data center standards for hosting. The project is a key component of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan (PAP 2) and is implemented by the Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone Company (TSFOBC), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the six member countries.
PIDA Code
I.02.30.01
Project Status
Active
Project Stage
Transaction Support & Financial Close
Completion Percentage
0
Sector Name
ICT
Subsector Name
Fibre Optic Cable
On SDM
Off
Summary
The project involves constructing a high-capacity, open-access terrestrial fiber optic backbone across six Sahel and North African nations. The Algeria segment (1,200 km) is operational. A 1,031 km section in Niger was provisionally accepted in November 2023, with construction ongoing in other countries. The project is structured as a public-private partnership, with significant financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank. It is a flagship PIDA project addressing critical ICT infrastructure gaps in the region.
Description
Capex Cost
58.00USD million
Preparation Cost
0.00
Operation Cost
0.00
Project Risk
Multi-country coordination complexity; Varying regulatory frameworks; Desert terrain and extreme environmental conditions; Security considerations in remote border regions; Sand encroachment requiring continuous mitigation
Countries
Algeria, Mali, Algeria, Mali
REC
ECOWAS-CEDEAO
Stakeholders
Economic Community of West African States
Mali - Société des Télécommunications au Mali
Email
ephremg@nepad.org
Start Date
Date Created Raw
Updated Date
Latitude
20.000000
Longitude
10.000000