MainOne Equinix Solutions, which deployed Nigeria's first private-sector-led submarine cable infrastructure in 2010, has suffered three major fiber cuts since its launch. Each repair took an average of six weeks or more, causing prolonged internet disruptions in key cities like Lagos. This is in stark contrast to the global average of 5-15 days for submarine cable repairs.

The slow repair time is not unique to MainOne. Industry experts identify limited access to repair ships, bureaucratic red tape, and high repair costs as the biggest obstacles to timely repairs. Unlike Europe and North America, which have dedicated repair vessels stationed nearby, Africa lacks specialized ships, leading to delays in mobilization. Obtaining government permits for repairs can take months, with a single permit in Africa costing up to $1 million and requiring navigation of multiple agencies. Each fix costs around $2 million, but many operators lack the financial resources to respond swiftly.

The Côte d'Ivoire cable crisis in March 2024, which severely damaged four major submarine cables, crippled internet connectivity across 13 West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. The West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) attempted to reroute traffic but faced long delays due to intergovernmental red tape. The result was a continent-wide disruption that lasted for over two months, with final repairs completed only on May 16, 2024.

Africa's reliance on just a few international cables makes each failure disproportionately damaging. The continent currently has 74 submarine cable systems, far fewer than Europe's 152 or the 88 that connect the United States alone. Worse, about 90% of African countries lack even a single dedicated submarine cable, making them more vulnerable to disruptions. Most cable damage is caused by human activity, such as fishing trawlers and ship anchors, which account for 70-80% of incidents.

The cost of inaction is high, and regional collaboration is necessary to invest in repair ships stationed closer to African waters. Faster government approvals and incentives for private investment are also crucial to strengthening Africa's internet infrastructure. As Jane Munga, Fellow at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted, "We need to have regional conversations on submarine cable deployment and protection in Africa. Without better policies, Africa's internet will remain fragile."

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have launched a new advisory body to improve global resilience in submarine cable networks. Co-chaired by Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, and Portugal's Sandra Maximiano, the panel aims to accelerate solutions. However, without aggressive reforms, Africa risks remaining the world's most vulnerable region for internet blackouts – one cable cut away from another months-long digital shutdown.