Telecom Oprators' Partnership for Horizon Fiber Initiative Anticipated to Forge Africa’s Digital Connectivity

Addis Ababa December 3/2024 (ENA) A trilateral telecom operators’ partnership between Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel Telecom Group for the horizon fiber initiative is highly anticipated to enhance African digital connectivity and beyond. 

In a landmark development for Africa's digital landscape, Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Horizon Fiber Initiative in Addis Ababa today.

The Ethio telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru signed the agreement with Sudatel Telecom Group CEO, Magdi Mohammed and Djibouti Telecom Deputy CEO, Kassism Mohammed in Addis Ababa at Skylight Hotel.

The MoU aimed to enhance digital connectivity across Africa and establish seamless communication links from the Horn of Africa to Europe and Asia.  

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ethio telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamiru said the strategic partnership among Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel Telecom Group for the Horizon Fiber Initiative aligns with Africa's Digital Transformation Strategy 2030.

“It is a very strategic initiative for all Africans, in fact beyond that. Initially, the collaboration is a very innovative initiative; I believe so because we will try to address immediate challenges as well as create new opportunities for growth. 

It is perfectly our initiative aligns with digital transformation of Africa strategy 2030, showing our commitment for the development and digital advancement of our continent.”

The CEO added that the initiative is not just innovative but  it is essential for modern life that relies heavily on connectivity and digital solutions.

Friehiwot highlighted the need to protect existing infrastructure while also developing new frameworks to ensure seamless, borderless digital experiences for users.

The partnership aimed to provide high bandwidth and low latency connectivity, crucial for the growth of Africa’s digital economy, she underscored, assuring the realistic and feasibility of the initiative, citing the existing expertise and infrastructure that can be leveraged for successful implementation. 

Emphasizing on immediate possible challenges while creating new growth opportunities for the continent, Frehiwot reaffirmed her telecom operator commitment to make it realistic and transformative.

“I am looking forward to this initiative to make it a realistic and transformative success for Africa and beyond,” she revealed.

CEO of Sudatel Telecom Group, Magdi Mohammed on his part noted that the Horizon Fiber Initiative is a pivotal moment for Africa. 

He further elaborated the fundamental role of connectivity as the backbone of the digital economy. Mohammed also encouraged telecom operators to work collaboratively to serve humanity through enhanced connectivity. 

“It is a very important moment for Africa. We telecom operators should work hard. We have the ability to serve humanity by connectivity plus, beyond connectivity. But, we have to start from connectivity because this is the basic infrastructure,” he pointed out.

He also stressed the need for putting hands together to  achieve a lot in this ambition, reflecting on the potential of this partnership.

Deputy CEO of Djibouti Telecom, Kassim Mohammed said that Ethiopia is seen as a second home, reinforcing the regional integration aspect of the initiative. 

The Deputy CEO further expressed his optimism that this partnership would inspire other African telecom operators to pursue similar collaborative efforts.

“Truly, initiative opens the mind of all African operators,” he noted.

The strategic partnership marks a transformative step in reshaping both international and regional digital infrastructure, focusing on the development of a Multi-Terabit, redundant terrestrial fiber optic link that will facilitate faster, more reliable and robust connectivity, contributing to Africa’s digital transformation, it was indicated.