Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is leading a global effort to make the internet more reliable. He’s co-chairing with Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Authority of the Republic of Portugal (ANACOM). They will be leading a new international body focused on protecting the underwater cables that carry most of the world’s internet traffic.
These underwater cables are crucial for the internet, connecting different countries and continents. However, they can be easily damaged by accidents, natural disasters, or even deliberate attacks.
The organization, supported by the International Telecommunication Union(ITU) and International Cable Protection Committee(ICPC), plans to reduce the risk of cable damage and speed up repairs. This will help keep the internet running smoothly, even during difficult times. The first big event for this new organization will be the Cable Resilience Summit, planned for early 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. Experts from all over the world will gather to discuss ways to make submarine cables more reliable.
“Submarine cables are essential to the functioning of our connected world, but they face risks that require coordinated, proactive action,” said Dr. Tijani. “Therefore, we are happy to host the inaugural Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to be held in Nigeria in early 2025.”
This initiative is crucial for Africa, which has faced significant internet disruptions due to cable damage in the past. By strengthening the resilience of submarine cables, Nigeria and other African countries can improve their digital infrastructure and boost economic growth.
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The Advisory Body’s 40 members include Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and senior experts on the operations of telecommunication cables.
- Members come from all world regions, ensuring diversity and inclusion from countries ranging from small island states to major economies.
- The membership captures the perspectives of those whose livelihoods and digital futures depend on the operation of submarine telecommunication cables, as well as those who work to deploy, maintain, and protect this vital infrastructure.
- The Advisory Body will meet at least two times a year. It will consult with experts on telecommunications, digital resilience infrastructure development, infrastructure investment, and international policy to provide strategic guidance and encourage sector-wide collaboration.
