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2025-01-17
In a significant development for Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, major providers including MTN and Airtel have announced that full voice and data services will be restored by Tuesday, March 19, 2024. This comes after a massive undersea cable cut disrupted internet services across West Africa, causing widespread operational challenges for banks, financial institutions, and businesses. The disruption, which began on March 14, 2024, has already cost Nigeria an estimated N273 billion in economic losses over just four days, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed the restoration timeline, with its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, stating that approximately 90% of services have already been recovered. The undersea cable damage, which occurred along the Ivorian and Senegalese coasts, affected critical infrastructure such as the West African Cable System (WACS), African Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT3, and MainOne. While MainOne managed to restore services for some customers over the weekend, the broader impact has been felt across the region.
To mitigate the disruption, Nigerian banks and telecom companies rerouted their traffic through alternative channels. However, the economic toll has been substantial, with NetBlocks estimating a loss of N273,987,701,601 billion between March 14 and March 17, 2024. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has also confirmed that restoration efforts are nearing completion, with voice and data services reaching about 90% of peak utilization capacities as of March 18, 2024.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of Africa’s digital infrastructure and the urgent need for diversified connectivity solutions to prevent future disruptions.
What Undercode Say:
The recent undersea cable cut that disrupted internet services across West Africa highlights a critical weakness in the region’s digital infrastructure. While the swift response from telecom providers and regulatory bodies like the NCC is commendable, the incident raises important questions about the resilience of Africa’s connectivity networks.
1. Economic Impact:
The estimated N273 billion loss over four days is a stark reminder of how heavily Nigeria’s economy relies on internet connectivity. From banking to e-commerce, nearly every sector depends on seamless digital operations. This disruption not only affected businesses but also hindered everyday activities, from online transactions to communication. The economic fallout underscores the need for robust contingency plans to minimize losses during such crises.
2. Infrastructure Vulnerabilities:
The undersea cables, such as WACS, ACE, and SAT3, are the backbone of internet connectivity in West Africa. However, their susceptibility to damage—whether from natural causes or human activities—poses a significant risk. Diversifying connectivity options, such as investing in satellite internet or additional undersea cables, could reduce dependency on a single point of failure.
3. Regional Collaboration:
This incident affected multiple countries, not just Nigeria. It highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing infrastructure challenges. Collaborative efforts to fund and maintain undersea cables, as well as shared contingency plans, could enhance resilience across West Africa.
4. Long-Term Solutions:
While the immediate focus is on restoring services, long-term solutions must be prioritized. Governments and private sector players should invest in redundant systems, local data centers, and alternative connectivity routes. Additionally, regulatory frameworks should be strengthened to ensure faster response times during emergencies.
5. Public Awareness:
The outage also revealed a gap in public awareness about the importance of digital infrastructure. Educating businesses and individuals about the risks of internet disruptions and how to prepare for them could mitigate the impact of future incidents.
In conclusion, the March 2024 internet outage serves as a wake-up call for Nigeria and the broader West African region. While the restoration of services is a positive step, the incident underscores the urgent need for investment in resilient digital infrastructure. By addressing these vulnerabilities, the region can better withstand future disruptions and ensure uninterrupted connectivity for its growing digital economy.
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