Total Project Cost
Investment Required
Stakeholders
Countries
Project Overview
Description
Major terrestrial broadband backbone designed to convey bandwidth capacity from coasts to hinterland and provide alternative gateway to Europe through Algiers. Serves the existing Trans-Sahara Highway and the proposed Trans-Sahara Gas pipeline.
Additionally, this project aims to deploy a high-capacity terrestrial fiber optic corridor across the Sahara Desert, connecting Algeria, Niger, Chad, and Nigeria. It is part of a regional digital transformation effort under the UMA and ECOWAS frameworks, designed to reduce Africa’s digital divide and support smart border connectivity.
Objectives
Project Objectives: Increase broadband penetration, Improve infrastructure monitoring, Provide European gateway access, Support landlocked countries, Enable efficient operations, Enhance regional connectivity, Support digital transformation, Foster economic development, Reduce digital divide, Enable cross-border services
Strategic Importance
Flagship project for regional connectivity enhancement and digital transformation across Trans-Saharan corridor
Technical Specifications
Technology & Design
Advanced fiber optic network with high-capacity transmission systems
Capacity & Size
15Tbps capacity, 1,221.031KM route length
Technical Details
High-capacity fiber network, Cross-border connections, Modern transmission systems, Gateway facilities to Europe
Additionally, the backbone will span over 4,500 km using G.654 fiber and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) with open-access Points-of-Presence and Tier III hosting standards.
Development, Implementation & Financial Details
Development Timeline
Major advancement: Algeria link completed, Niger and Nigeria segments in advanced construction phase, most countries constructing or completed
Latest Implementation Updates
UPDATED- 2025-03-11: Algeria and Niger confirmed bilateral agreement to align cross-border interconnection protocols for the Trans-Saharan fiber rollout. [Source](https://www.itweb.africa/content/KBpdgvpPwq5vLEew)
2025-06-20 — DabaFinance: DTS/Trans-Saharan backbone progress — interconnection to link Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Mali & Mauritania; objective is multi-gateway access to undersea cables for landlocked states. [https://dabafinance.com/en/news/chad-niger-trans-saharan-backbone-internet-connectivity-cemac-sahel]
Financing Structure
Public and private investment with multi-country coordination
Project Timeline
Development Timeline
Major advancement: Algeria link completed, Niger and Nigeria segments in advanced construction phase, most countries constructing or completed
Project Status History
Status 2020
Project Definition
Status 2022
Project Definition
Status 2024
Implementation
Additional Project Details
Construction Timeline
Construction ongoing across multiple segments
Legal & Financial Advisors
Not Available
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Growing demand for international connectivity and digital services
Market Demand
Telecommunications providers, ISPs, SMEs, e-businesses across three countries
Key Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
Regional Authorities (Nigeria, Niger, Algeria)
Key Parties
National ICT authorities, ECOWAS, CEN-SAD, UMA
Investors
Not Available
Contractors & Operators
Not Available
Risk Assessment
General Risk Assessment
Technical implementation challenges, Cross-border coordination requirements, Environmental factors
Regulatory Risks
Requires regional coordination and regulatory harmonization
Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact
Environmental studies completed for route sections
Social Impact
Significant regional development impact, Enhanced connectivity for underserved areas
Investment Opportunities
Private Sector Opportunities
Significant opportunities for telecom operators and digital service providers
Next Steps & Agreements
Next Steps
Complete remaining construction phases and commission full network
Offtake Agreements
Not Available
Contact Information
Not Available
