Google has announced the landing of the Equiano subsea cable in Lagos, Nigeria, to support the country’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

On Thursday, Google and its partner WIOCC made the announcement on Twitter. 

“We’re thrilled to announce our Equiano submarine cable’s second landing in Lagos, Nigeria. The cable has a specific resonance for Nigeria, as it is named after Olaudah Equiano, Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist. It’s a homecoming!” Google said in a tweet. 

The Equiano cable which started in Portugal in western Europe, will run more than 12,000km along the West Coast of Africa and initially landing in Lomé, Togo; Lagos, Nigeria; then moving through Swakopmund, Namibia; Rupert’s Bay, Saint Helena down to Melkbosstrand, South Africa. The network will establish a valuable new high-capacity connection between the African continent and Europe.

Juliet Ehimuan, Director, West Africa at Google commented on the landing of Equiano in Nigeria. 

 “Google is committed to supporting Africa’s digital transformation, and we are excited to see the impact of the landing of Equiano in Nigeria. We’ve worked with established partners and in-country experts to guarantee that Equiano has the greatest potential effect in Nigeria and Africa,” Ms Ehimuan said. 

Equiano was first announced in 2019. Though it is Google’s 14th internet subsea cable investment, it is the first project dedicated to internet access in Africa.

An economic impact assessment carried out by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics noted that Equiano’s arrival in Nigeria would mean faster internet speed. The assessment also noted that internet speeds in Nigeria will grow six times over by 2025, and retail internet prices will decline by 21 per cent. 

In March, Google announced Togo as its first host country for its first undersea internet cable, despite having listed Nigeria in initial map plans as its landing place.

The subsea cable is expected to travel from Portugal to South Africa and is part of the company’s $1 billion Africa investment that includes a $50 million venture capital startup fund.