The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has called for global collaboration to address submarine cable disruptions, warning that such incidents could hinder the growth of the digital economy.
Speaking at the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin stressed the need for sustained efforts to protect undersea cables, which support 95% of global digital connectivity.
“The global digital economy is expanding faster than the global GDP and is projected to reach $16.5 trillion by 2028. However, this growth relies heavily on submarine cable networks, which face frequent disruptions,” she stated.
She noted that despite their resilience, submarine cables experience around 200 disruptions annually, with repairs often being slow and complex. These disruptions, she added, have significant economic consequences, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach involving technology, business, and policy solutions.
The summit, hosted by Nigeria for the first time, attracted over 300 delegates from 194 ITU member countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Wada Maida; and other key industry leaders.
Dr. Tijani highlighted the importance of securing digital infrastructure, stating, “This is not just a technical or industry-specific challenge; it is a global imperative affecting financial markets, trade, education, health, and governance. Nigeria is committed to strengthening its digital infrastructure and policies to ensure resilience and economic growth.”
Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-chair of the ITU Advisory Board, cited recent submarine cable disruptions in West Africa, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, which affected over 70 million users. She emphasized the need for better protection and diversification of subsea cable networks, particularly in regions with limited connectivity options.
Bogdan-Martin urged ITU member states, policymakers, and industry leaders to collaborate on long-term solutions to submarine cable vulnerabilities, calling for increased investment and policy reforms to safeguard global digital connectivity.
