Congo has started its interconnection with the Central African Republic by sub-river optical fiber
January 18th 2022
In April 2018, the Republic of Congo finalized its broadband link with Gabon. A few months ago, it was Cameroon’s turn. The country which is entering a new stage, with the Central African Republic, is pursuing its objective of becoming an ICT hub in Central Africa.
The project to build the sub-river fiber optic network between Congo and the Central African Republic (CAR) is entering its implementation phase. The work was officially launched on January 14 in Brazzaville, on the occasion of the inauguration of the motor barge which will be used for this purpose. Said work will be carried out by the Chinese companies Huawei and China Communications Services International (CCSI).
Léon Juste Ibombo, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, declared during this ceremony: ” we have come to launch the construction works of the fiber optic network between Congo and CAR, knowing that a large part of the border between the two countries is under water. This barge contains the necessary equipment to be able to carry out the fiber optic interconnection work between our two States ”.
According to Michel Ngakala, the project coordinator, the work will consist of laying 285 kilometers of sub-river optical fiber, reinforced with steel to increase its efficiency and safety on the river bed. To this will be added civil engineering works and the construction of technical sites on the Pokola-Ouesso-Kabo-Bomassa-Bayanga-Salo axis.
The interconnection of Congo to the CAR is part of phase 2 of the Central African Backbone (CAB) project, which aims to connect the countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) via telecom infrastructures to broadband. The launch of the construction phase of this link follows the finalization a few months earlier of that with Cameroon. Congo had already finalized in 2018 its fiber optic link at a cost of 15 billion FCFA ($26.08 million) with Gabon.
The duration of the connection works between the Congo and the CAR is estimated at seven months. They will take place in three stages and should be completed in the third half of 2022. Once completed, the interconnection will contribute to greater digital inclusion in CAR and Congo. The Minister indicated that with their own telecom infrastructure, African countries will no longer have to depend on foreign telecom infrastructure.
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