Google has announced a groundbreaking project to build Umoja, the first-ever fibre-optic cable directly connecting Africa with Australia.
According to the firm, this project is poised to significantly enhance digital connectivity and economic integration between the two continents.
The route also incorporates the Google Cloud region in South Africa, ensuring robust cloud service connectivity.
Anchored in Kenya, the Umoja cable will pass through several African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, before making its way across the Indian Ocean to Australia.
Google said, in collaboration with Liquid Technologies, the Umoja cable would provide a highly scalable network path, featuring multiple access points to facilitate broader regional connectivity.
The project was made possible with partnerships from leaders across Africa and Australia, stating that the project aimed to connect African people, businesses, and governments.
This infrastructure was designed to deliver reliable and expansive digital services, addressing the chronic issue of network outages that have historically plagued the region, the search engine giant stated.
Named after the Swahili word for “unity,” Umoja is a part of Google’s Africa Connect initiative, which includes the Equiano subsea cable project.
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