Mauritania has begun installing a second international submarine cable aimed at expanding internet capacity, improving network reliability and lowering access costs in a country still heavily reliant on a single connection.
The coastal segment of the new fibre-optic cable was installed on May 4 in Nouadhibou, where the landing station is located, marking the first phase of a project expected to transform the country’s digital infrastructure.
Officials said the offshore cable-laying phase is scheduled for August 2026, with the system expected to enter service by January 2027.
The project is being overseen by Ahmed Salem Ould Bede, minister of digital transformation and administrative modernisation, who led the landing ceremony.
The 28.4-kilometre coastal section connects the landing station to the open sea and is designed to withstand risks from fishing and maritime activity, which can damage nearshore infrastructure. The main cable will extend across deep waters, linking Mauritania to Europe via Portugal and to South America via Brazil.
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Once operational, the system will deliver an initial capacity of 200 gigabits per second, scalable to 12 terabits per second, significantly increasing bandwidth and supporting growing demand for digital services.
The new cable will complement the existing ACE submarine cable, which has connected Mauritania to global networks since 2011 but remains the country’s primary international link.
Heavy reliance on a single cable has left the country vulnerable to outages. Past disruptions — whether from faults or maintenance — have affected internet and mobile services nationwide, impacting businesses, public services and everyday users.
By adding a second connection, authorities aim to build redundancy into the system, ensuring continuity of service during disruptions and improving overall network resilience.
Analysts say such redundancy is critical for countries undergoing digital transformation, where connectivity underpins sectors ranging from finance and education to government services.
The increased capacity is also expected to improve service quality by reducing congestion and enabling faster, more stable connections for users.
Beyond technical improvements, officials hope the project will help tackle the high cost of internet access in Mauritania, which remains a major barrier to digital inclusion.
According to international data, fixed broadband costs in the country amount to about 17.6% of gross national income per capita — far above the widely accepted affordability benchmark of 2%.
Mobile data costs are also relatively high, with 5 gigabytes representing nearly 3% of average income.
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Research suggests that expanding international bandwidth can significantly reduce prices. Studies indicate that doubling capacity can lower fixed broadband costs by up to 32% and mobile data prices by as much as 50%.
Lower prices could, in turn, drive wider adoption of internet services. Currently, only about 45.8% of Mauritania’s population is online, highlighting the scale of the digital divide.
Officials say improved connectivity will support the expansion of e-government platforms, digital financial services and business activity, helping integrate the country more fully into the global digital economy.
The project reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments are investing in submarine cables and fibre networks to support economic diversification and technological development.
While the long-term benefits are widely recognised, experts note that the impact will depend on how effectively increased capacity translates into lower prices and improved service delivery for end users.
For now, the launch of the second cable marks a significant step in Mauritania’s efforts to modernise its digital infrastructure and strengthen its connectivity with global markets.
