Guinea Fiber Optic Cable Undergrounding Project

Guinea is expanding its digital infrastructure with a second submarine fiber-optic cable and national backbone upgrades to enhance connectivity and support its digital economy.Project OverviewGuinea has signed agreements to land a second submarine fiber-optic cable through the Medusa Submarine Cable System, marking a major step in strengthening both international and national internet connectivity . This new cable comes 13 years after the country's first submarine link, which is nearing full capacity due to rising internet demand . The project aims to diversify Guinea's connectivity routes, reduce reliance on a single infrastructure, and improve network resilience and reliability .Implementation PartnersThe local telecom company GUILAB SA is the designated landing partner, responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining the cable infrastructure in Guinea for 25 years . The Medusa system, backed by AFR-IX Telecom, interconnects Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and West Africa, providing Guinea with enhanced intercontinental connectivity . Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah and Minister Mourana Soumah emphasized the strategic importance of this project for the country's digital future .National Backbone and Undergrounding EffortsAlongside the submarine cable, Guinea is advancing the expansion of its national fiber-optic backbone, including undergrounding initiatives to increase capacity and reliability . The General Management of SOGEB is conducting studies to double the backbone's capacity, ensuring it can support growing digital demand across sectors . These upgrades are part of the Simandou 2040 Programme, which integrates digital infrastructure development with broader national modernization goals .Strategic Objectives and ImpactThe project is designed to:Triple Guinea's current internet capacity, supporting both consumers and businesses .Enhance network resilience by providing alternative international routes and reducing dependency on a single cable .Support economic growth by enabling digital services, e-government, and private sector innovation .Ensure financial sustainability of the network while improving access for citizens and institutions . The government views this initiative as a cornerstone of Guinea's digital transformation, aligning with efforts to modernize media infrastructure, expand broadband access, and integrate the country more fully into global digital networks .Timeline and Next StepsFollowing the signing of the construction and maintenance agreement in early May 2026, marine surveys and operational preparations for the cable landing in Conakry have commenced . The Ministry of Communications, Digital Economy, and Innovation is tasked with accelerating the project and ensuring that the expanded network is both technically robust and economically sustainable . This comprehensive approach positions Guinea to meet rising internet demand, improve service quality, and foster a more connected digital economy over the coming decades.