AFR-IX Telecom Builds Medusa Submarine Cable System
The 7,100 km infrastructure project links Europe and North Africa to improve regional connectivity and data capacity.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Data Centers
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AFR-IX Telecom is constructing the 7,100 km Medusa submarine cable system to provide high-capacity mesh connectivity between Southern Europe and North Africa. The project is an open-access infrastructure deployment connecting 12 landing points across nine countries, supported by 40 million euros from the European Union.
Why it matters
This infrastructure upgrade is designed to improve regional connectivity and foster economic growth by linking national research and education networks in North Africa to European hubs. It represents a strategic investment in cross-border bandwidth to facilitate broader participation in the information economy.
The Medusa system spans 7,100 km with 12 distinct landing points across nine countries. It is designed to provide ultra-high capacity mesh connectivity, replacing or extending existing regional link limitations.
The players
AFR-IX Telecom
An infrastructure developer managing the construction and operation of the Medusa submarine cable system.
European Union
A political and economic union that provided 40 million euros in funding for this cross-border project.
The details
The Medusa cable functions as an open-access network using ultra-high capacity mesh architecture to link Southern Europe and North Africa. Terrestrial links extend the reach of the submarine landing stations, connecting them directly to national research and education networks in North African host countries to improve data transmission stability and speed.
Timeline
2021: The Medusa submarine cable project was officially identified.
The Tech Race
This project follows the funding criteria established by the Neighbourhood Investment facility to modernize regional digital infrastructure. It serves as a core effort to integrate North African data networks with European markets.
The project supports local data infrastructure development, with expectations that landing points will attract ancillary data centers. This upgrade is intended to increase regional productivity and enable access to high-speed research and education networks.
The takeaway
The Medusa system illustrates a shift toward high-capacity, open-access infrastructure to bridge bandwidth gaps in North Africa. Stakeholders should track the development of data centers at the 12 landing points as a indicator of the project's success in stimulating local digital growth.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional internet infrastructure, see Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EIB.
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