Pakistan Press Foundation
25 Feb 2025

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) announced the scheduled landing of the Africa-1 Submarine Cable at its Seaview station in Karachi on February 22. PTCL, in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on February 21, announced   the development. The $59.5 million project, approved in November 2020, is set to be operational by 2026.

PTCL has invested in the initiative since 2021. “By 2025, approximately 75% of the total investment will have been completed over four years, with the expectation of reaching the full project cost within the year,” PTCL noted.

“The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity between the UAE, Europe, and Africa, featuring multiple landing stations along the route,” PTCL said.

This is the second undersea cable landing in two months, following Transworld Associates’ Africa-2 cable in December. Pakistan currently relies on six submarine cables for internet access, managed by PTCL, Transworld Associates, and Cyber Internet Services.

Industry experts welcome the initiative, citing its potential to improve digital services and internet speeds. Nayatel CEO Wahajus Siraj emphasized the need to reduce wholesale internet costs, comparing prices to India’s more affordable broadband rates. Muhammad Umair Nizam of P@SHA stressed that better connectivity via new cables could “significantly improve”  the digital ecosystem and provide support to the economy. He said IT exports, already exceeded $3.2 billion, with a goal of reaching $15 billion.

The project comes amid frequent internet disruptions in Pakistan. Last month, PTA Chairman Major General (r) Hafeez Ur Rehman informed the National Assembly’s IT Committee about four upcoming submarine cables to enhance connectivity and internet reliability.