Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a multi-terabit, redundant terrestrial fibre optic link interconnecting Ethiopia, Djibouti and Sudan.
The plan – billed as the Horizon Fiber Initiative – will leverage the combined infrastructure of Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel to create “an efficient and fluid data transmission network”, according to a Facebook post from Ethio Telecom on Tuesday.
The Horizon Fiber Initiative has been in the works since June 2024, when representatives from all three telcos formed a technical team to carry out a detailed feasibility study and problem analysis.
With that phase now completed, the three telcos said they will finalize contracts by next month, while the interconnected fibre network is scheduled to be ready for commercial services by April 2025.
The resulting interconnected fibre network “will allow companies and individuals to benefit from better communication capabilities, reduced latency and increased access to broadband services,” Ethio Telecom said.
Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom and Sudatel are also pitching the Horizon Fiber Initiative as a terrestrial alternative to reliance on subsea cables after a year of frequent disruptions due to subsea cable cuts, particularly along the Red Sea route. The telcos said the new terrestrial route would be cheaper and easier to deploy and maintain compared to subsea cables, and provide extra resilience while reducing dependence on subsea links.
The initiative is also aimed at attracting hyperscalers, content providers, and wholesalers by providing low latency, more reliable connectivity and expanded access to international markets.
Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru said in a statement that the Horizon Fiber Initiative is “aligned with Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2030.”
