Google Submarine Cable “Equiano” to Create 1.6 Million Jobs in Nigeria

Google has disclosed that its 12,000km Equiano subsea Internet cable, which landed in Nigeria in April, will create 1.6 million indirect jobs in Nigeria. 

Investors King learnt that Google Submarine cable “Equiano ” is expected to run through Togo, Nigeria, Namibia and South Africa. It is also expected to provide low-cost and faster internet to the African continent. 

According to Google, Equiano will connect the African continent to Europe. Google further confirmed that by 2025, the submarine cable would have directly and indirectly impacted the African economy particularly Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia. 

The statement released by Google stated that ” By 2025, the cable would accelerate Africa’s economic growth with GDPs of Nigeria rising by $10.1 billion, South Africa by $7 billion and $260 million in Namibia”. 

Google further expressed that a recent independent assessment conducted by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics revealed that by 2025, driven by the expansion of the digital economy and peripheral sectors, Equiano would have indirectly created 1.6 million jobs in Nigeria, 180,000 jobs in South Africa and 21,000 jobs in Namibia.

It will be recalled that in April 2022, Google unveiled the landing of Equiano at the shores of Lagos State.

The landing of the state-of-the-art cable was witnessed by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu alongside other prominent members. 

Equiano is an Internet cable named after a Nigerian, Olaudah Equiano, a writer and abolitionist. The cable has a capacity of 144 terabits (18 Terabytes) which Google claimed can increase the internet capacity in Africa. It is scheduled to begin operation in Nigeria by December 2022. 

Meanwhile, Google believed the cable has a capacity roughly 20 times larger than any other cable currently serving Africa.

Similarly, the company disclosed that the Equiano subsea internet cable will have a direct impact on connectivity, resulting in faster internet speeds, reduced internet prices and improved user experience in Nigeria.