Africa: Cross-Continental Fiber Backbone Feasibility Study
June 14, 2024
- August 9, 2024
CSquared Link Holdings (Mauritius) Limited (the “Grantee” or “CSquared”) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute a feasibility study for the expansion of the Grantee’s digital infrastructure in East and Central Africa (the “Project”). The Proposal submission deadline is August 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time/ 5 p.m. East Africa Time. The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $1,343,000 grant to CSquared from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
CSquared is a pan-African technology company that provides wholesale broadband infrastructure and enables mobile network operators, internet service providers, and global telecommunications operators to deliver high-quality broadband access on the continent and beyond. With a mission to improve internet access and drive economic growth, CSquared builds and operates reliable and resilient metropolitan fiber optic networks, fiber backbone infrastructure in Africa’s largest and most dynamic markets, and international connectivity through the Equiano submarine cable system. CSquared currently owns and/or operates over 7,500km of fiber and delivers connectivity and/or capacity in: Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, and the DRC. Additionally, as the landing partner for the Equiano cable system in Togo, CSquared has deployed infrastructure and is able to deliver connectivity in Portugal, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Project Background
The Project’s objectives are to 1) develop a cross-continental fiber backbone connecting the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of Africa, 2) establish metro fiber networks in cities or towns along the backbone, and 3) create fiber to the x (“FTTX”) last-mile connections from the metro networks to towers, buildings, and homes. CSquared has identified three possible routes for the cross-continental fiber backbone. For each of the three potential routes, the Muanda Cable Landing Station (“CLS”) in the DRC would be the western terminus of the network, while a CLS in Mombasa, Kenya, or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, would be the eastern terminus.
About the Study
The Study will assess the viability of deploying a new cross-continental fiber backbone connecting the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of Africa. The Study will also evaluate the viability of establishing metro fiber networks in cities or towns along the backbone, and FTTX last-mile connections from the metro networks to towers, buildings, and homes. The Study will include a physical survey of the intended fiber routes to inform deployment methods, indicate physical obstacles, and identify other risks. Once the route is selected, the Study will include an engineering design plan, a commercial and economic analysis, a financing plan, a legal and regulatory assessment, and a preliminary environmental impact assessment. Finally, the Study will include a U.S. sources of supply analysis, a development impact assessment, and a Project implementation plan.
