In a move set to transform connectivity across East and Central Africa, Airtel Africa has partnered with Nokia to build a high-capacity terrestrial fiber network. 

The announcement, made at this year’s AfricaCom Conference in Cape Town, signals a major step in linking the continent to the global digital economy.

The project aims to seamlessly connect multiple countries while integrating submarine cables with terrestrial networks, creating a robust digital backbone that promises faster, more reliable internet for millions.

At the heart of the network is Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform, capable of handling data transfers of up to 38 terabits per second — enough to support everything from mobile internet to enterprise cloud services.

For Airtel Africa, the partnership is more than a technology upgrade. P. D. Sarma, Group Director of Network, describes it as a milestone in Africa’s digital evolution:

“This collaboration will expand high-speed connectivity, drive digital inclusion, and support sustainable economic growth across the continent.”

Samer Lutfi, Head of Growth Group for Network Infrastructure, Middle East and Africa, highlights the role of DWDM technology in enabling scalable, high-performance networks:

“Our solutions help enterprises and service providers harness the power of digital transformation while driving economic development.”

The project also aligns with Airtel Africa’s vision to support 5G, cloud computing, and IoT, while strengthening cross-border connectivity.