Charles Murito, Google’s head of government relations and public policy in Africa, has called on African governments to prioritise the protection of fibre-optic cables and harmonise policies around their deployment to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.
Speaking at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town on Thursday, Murito stressed the need to classify fibre-optic networks as critical infrastructure.
“When you classify fibre as a critical investment, it ensures that if people maliciously damage that infrastructure, there are stringent repercussions,” Murito said.
Murito’s appeal comes amid a rise in vandalism targeting the cables and related network infrastructure, including batteries and generators at tower base stations. These attacks, often orchestrated by criminal syndicates, have significantly increased operational costs for network providers and hindered the development of reliable connectivity across the continent.
Fibre-optic networks, both terrestrial and subsea, are essential for Africa’s growing digital economy. Google has been a major investor in these systems, including the Equiano cable linking Africa to Europe and the recently announced Umoja cable, which will provide the first direct fibre-optic connection between Africa and Australia.
Murito argued that stronger legal protections for these investments would not only safeguard existing infrastructure but also encourage more investors to fund digital projects on the continent. “Improved protection reassures investors and creates an environment where businesses can thrive,” he added.
Another challenge Murito highlighted is the lack of uniform regulations governing the installation and maintenance of fibre-optic cables across African countries. This regulatory fragmentation complicates infrastructure development and slows internet penetration, which remains at just 27% on the continent.
Murito proposed greater collaboration among internet service providers (ISPs) to share cable infrastructure, reducing costs and expanding connectivity. He also called for regulatory “harmonisation” across borders to streamline permissions for telecom and tech companies working on fibre networks.
In South Africa, the government and regulators have acknowledged the problem of vandalism and urged police to take stricter action against perpetrators. However, no formal steps have been taken to classify fibre-optic cables as critical infrastructure, a move Murito and industry leaders believe is essential to protecting the continent’s communication backbone.
Google’s call for action reflects its deep investment in Africa’s digital future. By ensuring the security of fibre-optic infrastructure and adopting consistent policies across the continent, Murito believes African governments can unlock vast opportunities for trade, innovation, and economic growth.
“Mauritius and South Africa are just the beginning. With the right protections and policies, Africa can lead the way in global connectivity,” Murito concluded.
