Charles Murito, Head of Government Relations and Public Policy in Africa for Google, has called on African governments to prioritise the protection of fibre optic infrastructure and standardise regulatory frameworks to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.
Speaking at the Africa Tech Conference, Murito stressed the need to designate fibre optic cables as critical infrastructure. This designation, he explained, would enhance legal protections for both terrestrial and subsea networks essential to Africa’s digital economy.
Murito raised concerns over the increasing vandalism targeting fibre networks, largely driven by criminal groups seeking to steal components such as batteries and generators from telecom sites. These activities disrupt internet connectivity and impose significant repair costs on providers.
“Critical infrastructure status would deter these acts by imposing stricter penalties for deliberate damage,” Murito said, adding that enhanced protections are vital to sustaining Africa’s growing digital sector.
Highlighting Google’s role in Africa’s connectivity efforts, Murito detailed the company’s ongoing projects, including the Equiano subsea cable connecting Africa to Europe and the recently announced Umoja cable, which will provide a direct link between Africa and Australia.
“These projects are part of Google’s commitment to closing connectivity gaps and strengthening internet access across the continent,” he noted.
Telecom operators and industry leaders present at the conference supported Murito’s appeal, emphasising that better protection for fibre networks could attract more international investments and mitigate risks in Africa’s telecommunications sector.
Murito also advocated for cross-border policy alignment, proposing shared infrastructure among internet service providers (ISPs) to lower data costs and make internet access more affordable.
Despite Africa’s potential for digital growth, only 27% of the population accessed mobile internet in 2023, according to Murito. He urged governments to streamline regulatory environments to facilitate network expansion and bridge the digital divide.
“A simplified and harmonised regulatory framework will enable companies to expand faster and connect underserved communities,” he said.
Google’s contributions extend beyond connectivity infrastructure. In 2023, its services, including Search, Ads, and YouTube, contributed $1.8 billion to Nigeria’s economy. Initiatives like the Digital Skills for Africa programme and the Career Certificates initiative have equipped over 1.5 million Nigerians with critical digital skills.
The Equiano cable, which landed in Lagos in 2022, is another key milestone. Named after Nigerian abolitionist Olaudah Equiano, the subsea cable is expected to improve broadband quality across West Africa by 2025, enhancing internet speeds and reliability.
Murito’s call to action reflects Google’s vision of fostering a thriving digital economy in Africa, underpinned by robust infrastructure and unified policies. As Africa positions itself as a global tech hub, the protection and expansion of its fibre optic networks will remain critical to achieving this goal.
