Executive Summary
Case Study of the Atlantic Link West Africa (ALWA)
Submarine Fibre Cable Project
Atlantic Link West Africa Submarine Fibre Cable Project, a digital infrastructure initiative designed to address what the World Bank estimates to be approximately 40% internet penetration across Africa.
The project proposed branching an existing transoceanic cable — currently connecting Europe and Brazil, with landing points in Mauritania and Cape Verde — to serve five West African countries currently underserved by digital connectivity.
The project would involve approximately 7,000 kilometres of new submarine cable with four fibre pairs, estimated at a total cost of $1.5 billion. The project aligned with the African Union's digital agenda and ECOWAS connectivity frameworks.