Connecting the Continent: Africa Hyperscalers Launches High-Level Push to Solve Last-Mile Connectivity

Tech Leaders Convene in Lagos to Drive Down Costs and Expand Access

Despite massive investments in subsea fibre optic cables including the recently completed 2Africa cable the reality of widespread, affordable internet remains a distant goal for many Nigerians. Fixed broadband penetration still languishes below six per cent.

To tackle this persistent connectivity gap, a powerful coalition of tech leaders, regulators, and infrastructure providers, known as Africa Hyperscalers, is convening a high-level strategy workshop in Lagos on December 11th. The goal is clear: to accelerate coordinated network buildout and implement shared infrastructure models that will dramatically improve broadband affordability across Nigeria.

The Challenge: Moving Beyond the Coastline

While huge subsea cables have landed on the coast, the real bottleneck remains the distribution of capacity inland. The organizers stressed that “the real test before us is not capacity at the shore, but capacity inland.”

This crucial workshop will focus on developing a unified blueprint that moves beyond individual efforts, emphasizing:

• Shared Systems: Creating collaborative infrastructure to reduce costs.
• Co-built Frameworks: Joint ventures among operators to strengthen deployment economics.
• Last-Mile Solutions: Linking subsea gateways to terrestrial backbones, metro rings, and end-user systems to serve underserved regions.

The New Africa Hyperscalers Broadband Strategy

This collaborative approach is the new Africa Hyperscalers Broadband Strategy designed to unlock the full potential of digital investment. The discussions will center on how deeper collaboration among telecom operators can make services economically viable, finally bringing high-speed internet to millions of homes and businesses outside major urban centers.

The invitation-only event will feature key decision-makers, including the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Abdullahi, and senior representatives from companies like IHS Towers, Bayobab Nigeria, FiberOne Broadband, ipNX, and Nokia.

The success of the Africa Hyperscalers Broadband Strategy is critical for Nigeria’s digital future. By prioritizing collaboration and inland network expansion, these tech giants are paving the way for a truly connected Africa, transforming digital inclusion from an aspiration into a reality.