The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has issued a strong call for regional collaboration to protect submarine cables that underpin internet connectivity across West Africa. The appeal comes in response to increasing threats, including accidental damage and sabotage, which have led to significant internet disruptions in recent months.
Regional Cooperation Essential for Cable Security
Speaking at a virtual meeting of West African telecom regulators, WATRA's Executive Secretary, Aliyu Abdulhamid, emphasized that no single country can effectively secure these critical infrastructures alone. He stated, "Submarine cables are the backbone of our digital economy. Their protection requires a unified regional approach, including shared surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and harmonized legal frameworks."
The meeting, attended by representatives from 15 West African nations, highlighted the vulnerability of the region's submarine cables. According to WATRA, West Africa has experienced at least four major cable cuts in the past two years, affecting millions of users and disrupting businesses, banking, and government services.
Economic Impact of Cable Disruptions
Abdulhamid noted that the economic cost of these outages is substantial. "The recent cable cuts caused an estimated loss of over $100 million in economic activity across the region," he said. "This underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent future incidents."
WATRA's proposal includes the establishment of a regional cable protection task force, increased patrolling of cable landing sites, and the adoption of best practices from other regions, such as the African Cable Protection Committee. The assembly also called for stricter penalties for those who damage cables, whether through negligence or intent.
Threats from Fishing and Anchoring
A significant portion of cable damage in West Africa is attributed to fishing activities and ship anchoring. WATRA urged governments to work with maritime authorities to enforce exclusion zones and educate fishermen about the risks of damaging cables. "We must balance the needs of our fishing communities with the imperative to protect our digital lifelines," Abdulhamid added.
The assembly also discussed the role of emerging technologies, such as satellite internet, as a backup to submarine cables. However, WATRA stressed that satellite solutions cannot yet match the capacity and latency of fiber-optic cables, making cable protection a priority.
Next Steps and Implementation
WATRA plans to present a formal resolution to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for adoption. The resolution calls for a regional treaty on submarine cable protection, including provisions for joint monitoring, information sharing, and emergency response. Member states are expected to review the proposal within the next three months.
Abdulhamid concluded, "The digital future of West Africa depends on our collective action. We cannot afford to wait for another major cable cut to take decisive steps."
