by ARNOLD MULENGA
LUSAKA – THE launch of the cross-border fibre optic interconnector between Mozambique and Zambia is a milestone in strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and accelerating digital transformation within Southern Africa.
Launched at the Chanida–Cassacatiza One-Stop Border Post this past weekend, it is a collaboration between Bayobab Zambia and Vodacom Mozambique, in partnership with the Ministry of Technology and Science of Zambia and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation of Mozambique,
The connection links Zambia’s national fibre backbone to the submarine fibre cable network Mozambique, thereby strengthening redundancy, improving internet reliability and enhancing cross-border data exchange.
It links landlocked Zambia to the 2Africa submarine cable, which interconnects Africa and further connects Asia and Europe and at 45 00 kilometres is the longest subsea cable system ever deployed.
The Zambia–Mozambique interconnection project is thus hailed as a landmark development in regional digital integration and trade facilitation.
“This interconnection enhances cross border resilience and connects Zambia directly to the 2Africa submarine cable, reinforcing a backbone that supports our national and regional digital ambitions,” Simon Karikari, Vodacom Mozambique Managing Director, said.
“For Mozambique, this is a milestone. It comes at a defining stage of our own digital transformation. The government has taken deliberate and bold steps to transform the digital agenda in Mozambique,” he added.
Karikari believes the project sends a clear signal to investors, enterprises and development partners that Mozambique and Zambia were committed to building a digital foundation required for sustainable development. “It also reflects a broader reality that our economies are together, united and committed,” he added.
The connection to Mozambique brings to eight the number of neighbouring countries Zambia has fibre-optic connectivity with, positioning it as one the most digitally interconnected countries in Africa.
In addition to Mozambique, the countries are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
There are plans to connect with Burundi, in East Africa.
“This footprint positions Zambia not only as a consumer of connectivity but as a digital transit hub for the region,” Lilian Mutwalo, Bayobab Zambia Managing Director, said.
She said of the Zambia–Mozambique interconnection, “This project reflects our shared belief that Africa’s digital future depends on resilient, interconnected infrastructure that transcends borders.”
A subsidiary of the MTN Group, Bayobab is a pan-African digital infrastructure and connectivity company.
– CAJ News
