Liquid Dataport is set to expand its fibre backbone to connect Luanda, Angola and Lusaka, Zambia directly.
The move follows Liquid's launch of a new fibre link between Lobito, Angola and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The firm - business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies – aims to provide a 2500 km fibre route to bring additional and affordable Internet services to millions of people.
Through this investment, Liquid will directly connect Angola to Zambia through its fibre network in Zambia and collaborate with partners - including Angola Telecom – in the two countries. The addition of this route to Liquid's regional fibre backbone is a significant expansion of its existing 110,000 km fibre backbone, providing its regional customers access to high-speed connectivity and cloud services at affordable costs.
"In the last few months, we have launched multiple new routes interconnecting countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Building a route that directly connects Angola and Zambia is key to our Group's vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind. Connectivity is a catalyst and enabler, key to building Africa's digital economy," said Hardy Pemhiwa, Group CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
According to the Zambia Inclusive Digital Economy Status Report 2022, only 53% of citizens are digitally included, and Liquid's new fibre route will not only cater to the demands of wholesale customers but also intends to provide enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with direct access to high-speed connectivity. Mobile operators and local Internet Service Providers can also pass on the benefits to their customers.
"Zambia has the potential to become a hub of connectivity for all of its neighbours, including Angola. This new direct route via Chavuma will be available in the next few months, with an additional route to be launched later using fibre along the Lobito Corridor. We look forward to collaborating with the telecom providers in Angola, leading to improved coverage and the quality of ICT services across the two countries," says David Eurin, CEO of Liquid Dataport.
