Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Group have finalised a binding tripartite agreement to launch the Horizon Fibre Initiative, marking a significant advancement toward a digitally integrated infrastructure in the region.
This landmark agreement creates a multi-terabit terrestrial fibre corridor connecting Djibouti’s submarine cable gateways via Ethiopia into Sudan, establishing a high-capacity cross-border data route.
The initiative aims to diversify regional connectivity options, enhance redundancy, and provide next-generation capacity, all of which are crucial to Africa’s burgeoning digital economy, including enterprises, fintech platforms, and cloud service providers, as well as cross-border digital commerce.
During the signing ceremony in Djibouti, Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru described the project as aligning with continental aspirations.
“By entering this tripartite agreement, we are not just formalising a contract; we are constructing a shared digital future,” she stated. “The Horizon Initiative is a significant stride toward creating a resilient, high-capacity connectivity corridor between Africa, which enhances both regional and global integration.”
Tamru further noted that leveraging the shared assets and expertise of the operators illustrates how African companies can collaborate to address connectivity challenges while delivering added value to customers and large-scale enterprises.
Djibouti Telecom CEO Mohamed Assoweh Bouh highlighted the strategic significance of Djibouti as a submarine cable gateway for East Africa and beyond.
“The Horizon project marks a new era of regional integration and bolsters our digital sovereignty while showcasing our position on the global stage,” he commented.
Sudatel Group CEO Magdi Abdalla Taha praised the collaboration as a model for continental cooperation.
“The Horizon initiative exemplifies a dynamic partnership and serves as a benchmark for what is achievable when African operators unite their goals,” he remarked.
The combined influence of the partners amplifies the project’s regional impact. Ethio Telecom serves over 87 million subscribers and is expanding into cloud services, fintech, and data infrastructure. Djibouti Telecom is a pivotal player among Africa’s key submarine cable hubs, connecting various global systems. In contrast, Sudatel connects millions across Sudan and neighbouring markets, positioning itself as a leading cross-border ICT provider.
Together, this corridor enhances East Africa’s position as a digital transit hub and supports the rapid growth of traffic driven by advances in AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital transformation.
