KARACHI: Pakistan has strengthened its digital infrastructure with the landing of the Africa-1 submarine cable at Sea View Beach, Karachi, marking a major step in enhancing global connectivity, according to Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (Wispap) Chairperson Shahzad Arshad, The News reported.
Developed through a consortium of leading global telecom companies, the cable system aims to address Pakistan’s bandwidth limitations and improve its position in the international digital space. Arshad noted that for the past eight months, the country has faced increased internet latency and bandwidth constraints, impacting businesses and freelancers.
Africa-1, a high-capacity subsea cable stretching over 10,000 kilometers, is designed to expand bandwidth and enhance regional connectivity. The consortium includes major telecom operators such as Mobily (Saudi Arabia), e& (UAE), G42 (UAE), Telecom Egypt, Zain Oman International (ZOI), Algerie Telecom, and TeleYemen. The system will link Pakistan with key global markets, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Kenya, and Djibouti.
Industry experts see this development as a boost to Pakistan’s Digital Vision, reinforcing the country’s telecom infrastructure and creating new opportunities for technological growth. Increased bandwidth is expected to improve business operations, drive innovation, and enhance user experiences, making Pakistan more competitive in the global digital economy.
Despite this progress, concerns remain over market concentration in Pakistan’s international gateway sector. Arshad pointed out that a handful of dominant players control the market, limiting competition and keeping prices high. He urged the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) to encourage international and local firms to establish multiple gateways, which would lower bandwidth costs and improve service quality.
The Africa-1 cable system is expected to be operational by early 2026, enabling faster, more reliable internet to support digital transformation across industries such as e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare. Additionally, improved connectivity may attract foreign investment into Pakistan’s IT and telecom sectors, further driving economic growth.
As the country moves toward greater digital integration, stakeholders stress the importance of ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet, bridging the digital divide, and extending the benefits of enhanced connectivity to businesses and consumers nationwide.
