# African digital infrastructure and fiber expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-digital-infrastructure-and-fiber-expansion > Updated: 2026-09-13T16:43:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. African nations are significantly expanding their digital infrastructure and fiber optic connectivity. In West Africa, Nigeria has seen a 155% increase in fixed broadband median download speeds since 2023, supported by a tripling of fiber-to-the-premises connections. Nigeria is also pursuing a National Digital Cloud Policy to attract $750 million in private investment and exploring new fiber routes through Niger and Benin to lower costs for landlocked Burkina Faso. Other regional developments include Côte d’Ivoire leading studied West African markets in median download speeds, Senegal aiming for 2 million fiber ports by 2028, and Kenya seeking partnerships with Chinese firms to modernize telecommunications and expand 5G. In Central Africa, Gabon is working to nearly double its national fiber optic backbone by deploying an additional 1,651 kilometers of cable through a public-private partnership. This expansion aims to connect rural areas and public services, while the country also prepares for connection to the Médusa Afrique submarine cable by 2028. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Gabon expands national fiber optic backbone Gabon is nearly doubling its national fiber optic backbone through a partnership between SPIN and Gabon Fiber S.A., adding 1,651 km of cable to improve digital access and prepare for the Médusa Afrique undersea 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gabon-expands-national-fiber-optic-backbone ### 2026-08-16: West Africa accelerates fiber broadband and digital infrastructure growth West Africa is seeing rapid fiber broadband growth, led by Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Nigeria is also launching a new cloud policy to attract $750 million in investment and expand regional connectivity. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/africa-fiber-broadband-market-accelerates-as-operators-expand-fttp-networks --- Cite as: African digital infrastructure and fiber expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-digital-infrastructure-and-fiber-expansion