Nigeria and the ITU have called for collective action at the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to address global submarine cable disruptions. With the digital economy growing rapidly and projected to reach $16.5 trillion by 2028, tackling these disruptions is vital for sustaining connectivity and economic growth. The summit gathered over 300 delegates to discuss solutions for enhancing submarine cable resilience.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), has issued a call for collective action to mitigate disruptions in submarine cables on a global scale. This initiative was announced at the inaugural ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit held in Abuja. The organizations emphasized that these disruptions pose a significant threat to the advancement of the global digital economy.
During the summit, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the critical role submarine cable connectivity plays, accounting for 95 percent of the digital economy’s infrastructure. The digital economy significantly contributes to the global GDP and is projected to reach $16.5 trillion by 2028. She noted the remarkable growth in internet usage from 1 billion users in 2005 to 5.5 billion by the end of last year.
Bogdan-Martin pointed out that while undersea cables show resilience, approximately 200 disruptions occur annually, complicating repairs and impacting economies worldwide. She identified the need to address submarine cable issues through a comprehensive approach involving technology, business, and policy. Collaboration among diverse stakeholders is crucial for effective dialogue on this issue.
Co-Chair of the ITU Advisory Board, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, stressed the board’s importance to the submarine cable industry, citing recent cable cuts in West Africa that affected millions. Nigeria, connected to several submarine cable systems, must address these challenges, as some countries in the region rely heavily on a limited number of cables.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized the global implications of submarine cable disruptions, stating they impact multiple sectors, including finance and education. Under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is committed to enhancing its digital infrastructure and policies aimed at fostering connectivity and growth. The summit’s outcomes aim to shape future policies and foster international cooperation for resilience.
The two-day summit is seeing participation from over 300 delegates from 194 ITU member countries, along with notable officials from various Nigerian communications agencies, highlighting the collaborative effort to resolve submarine cable challenges.
The inaugural ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit has unified Nigeria and the ITU in a mission to address the critical challenges posed by submarine cable disruptions. With a focus on sub-sea cable resilience and its impact on the digital economy, both organizations underscore the need for holistic collaboration among stakeholders to advance digital infrastructure and connectivity across nations.
Original Source: nannews.ng
