Nigeria and ITU Collaborate to Address Submarine Cable Disruptions
Nigeria, in partnership with the ITU, is calling for collaborative action to mitigate global submarine cable disruptions, emphasizing its critical role in the digital economy. The summit held in Abuja aims to address the significant challenges posed by these interruptions that could thwart economic advancement. Over 300 delegates are attending to forge strategies for resilience in submarine cable infrastructures.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, alongside the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has advocated for collaborative efforts to tackle global disruptions and cuts of submarine cables. This appeal was made during the inaugural ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit held in Abuja. The organizations emphasized that disturbances to submarine cable networks could hinder the advancement of the global digital economy.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Secretary-General of the ITU, highlighted the necessity for global concentration on strategies that stabilize the rapid progression within the digital economy sector. She noted that submarine cable connectivity represents 95 percent of the foundational structure for the digital economy, which is projected to contribute substantially to the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aiming for a remarkable valuation of $16.5 trillion by 2028.
The past two decades have seen a significant transition into digitization, fostering both new socio-economic prospects and challenges. Bogdan-Martin remarked that global internet users totaled one billion in 2005, whereas current figures have surged to 5.5 billion. The digital economy is now outpacing global GDP growth, with substantial future contributions anticipated from digitally-driven enterprises.
Despite the robustness of submarine cables, approximately 200 disruptions occur annually, and repair operations across nations are often cumbersome. Bogdan-Martin asserted that these cable interruptions affect the global economy and require a holistic approach encompassing technology, business, and policy considerations. This summit convened a wide array of stakeholders critical to solving these issues.
The significance of the summit was underscored by Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair of the ITU Advisory Board. She drew attention to several cable incidents in March that year which disrupted services for numerous countries, including Nigeria. With many submarine cables serving Nigeria, Maximiano emphasized the necessity for robust subsea cable networks in West Africa.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, conveyed that submarine cable disruptions have far-reaching impacts affecting various sectors such as finance, education, and governance. He assured that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria intends to strengthen its digital infrastructure and foster policies beneficial to connectivity and economic growth.
The outcomes of this summit will potentially inform policy and investment strategies and lay the groundwork for enhanced global collaboration and enduring resilience in the face of submarine cable disruptions. The two-day event has drawn over 300 delegates from 194 ITU member countries, including prominent figures from Nigeria’s communication sectors, all aimed at fostering a resilient submarine cable network.
In summary, the collective efforts advocated by Nigeria and the ITU emphasize the importance of addressing submarine cable disruptions that hinder the digital economy. The summit serves as a platform for collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Continuous dialogue and strategic initiatives are crucial to enhancing global connectivity and ensuring the resilience of submarine cable infrastructures moving forward.
Original Source: nannews.ng
