Google to Launch Four Digital Infrastructure Hubs in Africa to Support New Subsea Cables
Story: written by Uzuh Rita September 18,2025
Tech giant Google has unveiled plans to set up four major digital infrastructure hubs across Africa to anchor its latest subsea fibre-optic cables, according to Africa Managing Director Alex Okosi.
The hubs — typically comprising landing stations and data centres — will link to Africa’s north, west, south, and east coasts. However, Google has not yet disclosed the specific cities that will host the projects, leaving uncertainty over whether Nigeria will be included.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Okosi confirmed the initiative would be funded directly by Google. While he declined to provide financial details, he noted that the company has already exceeded the $1 billion investment pledge it made for Africa in 2021.
The facilities are expected to boost internet connectivity across Africa, where access remains expensive, uneven, and prone to outages whenever existing subsea cables are damaged.
Google plans to land its two new cables — Equiano and Umoja — on the continent later this year. The new hubs are scheduled for completion within three years and could reduce costs for telecom operators like MTN Group and Vodacom, enabling more affordable broadband for millions of users.
Africa, home to the world’s fastest-growing and youngest population, is witnessing unprecedented demand for digital technology and artificial intelligence services. Rival tech companies are also scaling up, with Microsoft investing $1 billion in a geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya and another $300 million in AI infrastructure in South Africa.
“For us, it is about making sure that Africa gets the right investments to fully harness the AI opportunity,” Okosi said.
