This archive report was first published on 5 July 2021.
On July 5, 2021, Liquid Technologies and Facebook announced a groundbreaking partnership to construct a vast fibre network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This ambitious project aims to enhance internet access for more than 30 million people and address the growing demand for regional connectivity across Central Africa.
Under the partnership, Facebook will invest in the fibre build and support network planning, while Liquid Technologies will own, build, and operate the fibre network, providing wholesale services to mobile network operators and internet service providers. The fibre network will form a crucial part of a digital corridor stretching from the Atlantic Ocean through the Congo Rainforest to East Africa and onto the Indian Ocean.
The digital corridor, which Liquid Technologies has been working on for over two years, will connect the DRC to its neighbouring countries, including Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The new fibre build will extend the reach of the 2Africa undersea cable, better connecting Africa to the Middle East and Europe.
Notably, Liquid Technologies will employ over 5,000 people from local communities to build the fibre network, contributing to the local economy and creating job opportunities.
According to Nic Rudnick, Group CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, "This is one of the most difficult fibre builds ever undertaken, crossing more than 2,000 kilometres of some of the most challenging terrain in the world." He added, "Liquid Technologies and Facebook share a common mission to provide affordable infrastructure to bridge connectivity gaps, and we believe our work together will have a tremendous impact on internet accessibility across the region."
Ibrahima Ba, Director of Network Investments, Emerging Markets at Facebook, also expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "This fibre build with Liquid Technologies is one of the most exciting projects we have worked on. We know that deploying fibre in this region is not easy, but it is a crucial part of extending broadband access to under-connected areas. We look forward to seeing how our fibre build will help increase the availability and improve the affordability of high-quality internet in DRC."
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is present in more than 20 countries in Africa, with a vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.
