InfraPITCH: Trans-Sahara Optic Fibre Project

Executive Summary

Case Study 

Luapula Hydropower Project 

Project Overview

The final pitch, delivered by Taiwo Odusanya, addressed a vital piece of Africa’s digital infrastructure: a $4.5 billion fibre optic project delivered through an SPV.

This initiative seeks to build on existing infrastructure to create a high-capacity network connecting the continent, using an open-access model to provide services to multiple telecom operators and ISPs.

This model is designed to stimulate competition, reduce costs, and drastically improve internet access for millions of people, including an estimated 2 million direct beneficiaries.

The project’s financial structure is built around Indefeasible Right-of-Use (IRU) offtake agreements to de-risk revenue, supported by MIGA political risk insurance to cover cross-border exposure.

With a projected IRR of 19.2%, the financial case appears compelling . However, the jury’s feedback was grounded in the reality of project execution. While commending the commercial approach, they recommended strengthening the evidentiary base behind key assumptions.

Critical risks include securing firm commitments from anchor customers and navigating the notoriously complex process of obtaining cross-border regulatory approvals, which “sound good on paper” but are challenging in execution.

The team was also pressed on its competitive positioning, specifically against major players like Starlink, and which countries and sectors would drive the traffic volumes the project’s revenue depends on.

This pitch demonstrated a strong, modern understanding of infrastructure finance but underscored that success lies in the detail of execution.

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