Meta announced on Wednesday its ambitious subsea cable “Project Waterworth”, aiming to
to revolutionize global connectivity.
Spanning over 50,000 kilometers—longer than Earth’s circumference—this high-capacity cable will connect five major continents, making it the longest subsea cable of its kind.
According to Meta, Project Waterworth will significantly boost connectivity between the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other critical regions, creating opportunities for economic collaboration, digital inclusion, and technological growth. In India, where digital infrastructure is booming, this cable will support and accelerate the nation’s ambitious digital economy goals.
Subsea cable projects like Project Waterworth are the backbone of the world’s digital infrastructure, responsible for over 95% of global intercontinental data traffic, enabling online communication, video streaming, and e-commerce. With this multi-billion-dollar, multi-year project, Meta will strengthen the global digital framework by establishing three new oceanic corridors that provide the high-speed connectivity essential for driving AI innovation worldwide.
Over the last decade, Meta has been a leader in infrastructure innovation, deploying more than 20 subsea cables, including cables with up to 24 fiber pairs—setting a new industry standard compared to the usual 8-16 fiber pairs. Project Waterworth incorporates advanced engineering designs that increase resilience and improve deployment speed, even in challenging environments like deep-sea waters (up to 7,000 meters) and high-risk coastal areas.
As AI continues to transform industries and societies, global-scale projects like Project Waterworth are crucial in ensuring that emerging technologies benefit everyone, regardless of location, according to Meta. Meta’s new subsea cable will lay the foundation for the next generation of digital experiences, supporting AI, tech advancements, and more across the globe.
What does it mean for connectivity landscape in Africa?
For Africa, Project Waterworth is expected to enhance the continent’s connectivity and internet access as the cable connects it to other continents, particularly with major hubs like the US, India, and Brazil. This will increase the bandwidth and capacity available to the African countries, improving internet access across the continent which will make it easier for businesses, governments, and individuals to connect, communicate, and collaborate.
Moreover, Africa is undergoing rapid digital transformation, and Project Waterworth will provide the infrastructure needed to accelerate this growth. By boosting internet speeds and reducing latency, African countries will be able to adopt and integrate more advanced technologies, such as AI, e-commerce, telemedicine, and online education.
Initiatives like Project Waterworth is expected to foster more efficient trade, facilitate cross-border business, and create opportunities for new ventures. This could lead to the creation of new jobs, especially in the tech, e-commerce, and telecommunications sectors, further boosting local economies.