Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 4: Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 3: Technical Community, African Group
Organizer 4: Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 1: Wisdom Kwasi Donkor, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Lee McKnight, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Thokozile Precious Miya, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 2: Lee McKnight, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Thokozile Precious Miya, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: This session format is best suited for our workshop because it promotes collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and actionable outcomes which are essential to addressing the complex and multidimensional challenges related to submarine cable infrastructure in Africa. The round-table session format aligns perfectly with the goals of our session by fostering a collaborative, solution-focused environment that brings together key stakeholders to discuss, innovate, and commit to concrete actions. This interactive format is well-suited to tackle the complex challenges of submarine cable resilience, ensuring a more connected and secure Africa.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: This session format is best suited for our workshop because it promotes collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and actionable outcomes which are essential to addressing the complex and multidimensional challenges related to submarine cable infrastructure in Africa. The round-table session format aligns perfectly with the goals of our session by fostering a collaborative, solution-focused environment that brings together key stakeholders to discuss, innovate, and commit to concrete actions. This interactive format is well-suited to tackle the complex challenges of submarine cable resilience, ensuring a more connected and secure Africa.
Policy Question(s)
1.What regulatory frameworks can ensure cross-border collaboration harmonized standards for submarine cable security and resilience?
2.How can policies encourage private sector involvement developing and maintaining submarine cable networks, especially in underserved or high-risk areas?
3.What role should governments play in diversifying and ensuring redundancy of submarine cables to reduce disruption vulnerabilities?
4.How can African countries develop collaborative cybersecurity frameworks to protect submarine cables from cyber-attacks and ensure data privacy?
5.How can climate resilience be integrated into the planning, construction, and maintenance of submarine cables in Africa?
6.How can international bodies address geopolitical and regulatory challenges impacting Africa's submarine cable infrastructure?
What will participants gain from attending this session? 1.Key Risks and Challenges: Gain insights into the vulnerabilities facing Africa's submarine cable infrastructure, including natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, and geopolitical tensions that disrupt connectivity.
2.Innovative Solutions and Technologies: Explore cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven monitoring systems and cable redundancy strategies to enhance the resilience of infrastructure in Africa.
3.Practical Policy Insights: Receive actionable policy recommendations for governments, regulators, and the private sector to foster a resilient regulatory environment, incentivize investment, and address cybersecurity risks.
4.Collaborative Networking Opportunities: Connect with key stakeholders, including government officials, telecom operators, infrastructure developers, and international organizations to build partnerships for enhancing submarine cable resilience.
5.Strategic Action Plans for Regional Collaboration: Contribute to developing regional cooperation strategies and governance frameworks that address shared challenges and improve connectivity.
6.Practical Steps for Infrastructure Investment: Understand investment opportunities, financing models, and strategies for expanding resilient digital infrastructure in undeserved regions.
SDGs
Description:
Africa is experiencing rapid digital transformation, driving increased demand for reliable, high-speed internet access across the continent. Submarine cables are vital to this digital infrastructure, connecting Africa to global networks and enabling cross-border communication. However, these undersea cables are susceptible to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and human-made disruptions. Notably, in February 2024, geopolitical tensions led to the severing of multiple submarine cables in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Africa and parts of Asia. Similarly, in 2022, simultaneous failures of the West African Cable System (WACS) and SAT-3 cables cut off large parts of Southern Africa from global networks. Worldwide, over 100 cable faults occur annually, with 70% of them caused by human activities like ship anchors and illegal fishing (ICPC, 2023). Given the vulnerabilities of submarine cables, ensuring Africa's digital future requires innovation in their resilience and security. This workshop will focus on strategies to improve the protection and sustainability of undersea cable infrastructure, emphasizing technical, regulatory, and collaborative solutions. It will bring together stakeholders from governments, telecom operators, the private sector, and international organizations to discuss the role of technology, policies, and investments in strengthening Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Africa is experiencing rapid digital transformation, driving increased demand for reliable, high-speed internet access across the continent. Submarine cables are vital to this digital infrastructure, connecting Africa to global networks and enabling cross-border communication. However, these undersea cables are susceptible to natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and human-made disruptions. Notably, in February 2024, geopolitical tensions led to the severing of multiple submarine cables in the Red Sea, disrupting internet access in Africa and parts of Asia. Similarly, in 2022, simultaneous failures of the West African Cable System (WACS) and SAT-3 cables cut off large parts of Southern Africa from global networks. Worldwide, over 100 cable faults occur annually, with 70% of them caused by human activities like ship anchors and illegal fishing (ICPC, 2023). Given the vulnerabilities of submarine cables, ensuring Africa's digital future requires innovation in their resilience and security. This workshop will focus on strategies to improve the protection and sustainability of undersea cable infrastructure, emphasizing technical, regulatory, and collaborative solutions. It will bring together stakeholders from governments, telecom operators, the private sector, and international organizations to discuss the role of technology, policies, and investments in strengthening Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Expected Outcomes
1.Increased Awareness and Knowledge Sharing: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the risks facing Africa’s submarine cable infrastructure and learn about technological innovations, such as AI and predictive maintenance, that enhance resilience.
2.Actionable Policy Recommendations: The workshop will produce practical policy recommendations to strengthen the regulatory environment, incentivize investment in resilient infrastructure, and foster cross-border cooperation.
3.Collaborative Partnerships and Networking: New partnerships between public and private sectors, as well as international organizations, will be formed to promote joint investments in building resilient cable infrastructure across Africa.
4.Identification of Funding and Investment Opportunities: Discussions will highlight areas for investment in research, development, and technology, helping participants identify where to direct funding to ensure the sustainability of submarine cable networks.
5.Roadmap for Infrastructure Resilience: A clear, actionable roadmap will be developed, outlining practical steps, milestones, and timelines to improve the resilience of Africa's submarine cable infrastructure.
Hybrid Format: 1.Hybrid Communication Setup: A high-quality audio-visual system will ensure seamless interaction between onsite and online participants, with live Q&A tools (e.g., Slido, Zoom chat) enabling real-time engagement and discussion.
2.Interactive and Inclusive Design: Online and onsite participants will engage equally through live polls, breakout discussions, and shared collaborative documents (e.g., Google Docs, Miro), fostering an interactive experience across both formats.
3.Dedicated Moderators and Facilitators: A virtual moderator will manage online interactions, ensuring that questions from both onsite and remote attendees are addressed during sessions and that discussions remain balanced.
4.Complementary Online Tools: Platforms like Zoom, Facebook, YouTube , and Google Docs will be used to enable active participation, real-time feedback, and collaboration, ensuring all attendees can contribute effectively, regardless of location.