Central African Republic and DRC discuss fiber-optic link

The Central African Republic (CAR) is reviving plans for a fiber-optic interconnection project with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The initiative aims to provide the landlocked nation with a third terrestrial route to international submarine cables, potentially reducing internet disruptions and increasing available bandwidth.

Digital economy ministers from both nations, Roger Andjalandji of CAR and Augustin Kibassa Maliba of the DRC, met in Moscow on October 8 during an international roundtable on digital sovereignty to discuss advancing the connection. While both parties agreed on the necessity of the project, no specific timeline or financing arrangements have been established.

The proposed link would connect the two countries' networks to the submarine cable landing station at Muanda on the DRC’s Atlantic coast. This location hosts the 2Africa cable system and the West Africa Cable System (WACS). Access to these systems would allow CAR to diversify its international connectivity routes.