The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit commenced in Abuja today, with the Nigerian government announcing a $2 billion investment to bolster the nation’s digital infrastructure.
This investment aims to improve connectivity, boost the economy, and protect the digital rights of Nigerian citizens.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, emphasized the government’s commitment to digital connectivity, stating that the funds will ensure Nigerians have access to high-quality digital services and robust protection shortly. The summit, co-hosted by Nigeria and Portugal, brings together over 250 participants from 194 ITU member countries, including representatives from the private sector and academia.
The focus of the summit is to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables, vital infrastructure for global digital connectivity. Discussions will center on finalizing a global declaration on submarine cable resilience, urging increased action from governments and private sectors to safeguard this critical infrastructure.
Minister Tijani highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in securing submarine cables, crucial for global digital connectivity, and noted the country’s existing robust network of eight or nine cables. The current challenge, he explained, is expanding these networks inland to ensure reliable, high-speed internet access for all Nigerians.
The summit addresses the increasing vulnerability of submarine cable networks, with an average of 150 to 200 cables damaged or cut annually. Key international organizations, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are participating to promote cross-industry coordination between sectors like telecom, shipping, and fishing, all of which impact submarine cable integrity.
Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, praised Nigeria’s forward-thinking investments, recognizing Africa’s rapid growth in digital traffic. He affirmed that Nigeria’s contributions are vital for the continent’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, stating, “This region is the fastest-growing for international digital connectivity, and Nigeria’s leadership is critical to ensuring Africa’s success in the global digital economy.” The summit anticipates robust discussions on enhancing submarine cable security, a cornerstone of the global digital economy, with over 50 countries participating.