Google has announced plans to build four digital infrastructure hubs in Africa, linking them to new subsea fiber-optic cables to meet the continent’s fast-growing demand for internet access.
The initiative adds to the tech giant’s earlier $1 billion commitment made in 2021 to strengthen its African operations. The hubs will serve as gateways for improved connectivity, enabling faster and more reliable digital services across the region.
In a parallel development, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency is financing a feasibility study on expanding the Medusa submarine cable system, currently in the Mediterranean, to reach Africa’s Atlantic coast. If successful, the project could expand digital access to 22 African countries.
Beyond connectivity, the projects highlight the geopolitical stakes in Africa’s digital future, as the United States seeks to expand its presence in the region and balance China’s growing role in building technology infrastructure.