Land-Based Network to Bypass Red Sea Risks

Dec 8 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

Ethio telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Telecom have joined forces to launch the Horizon Fiber Initiative, a groundbreaking project that aims to establish a terrestrial fiber-optic network connecting Djibouti, Ethiopia and Sudan. This ambitious initiative seeks to provide a more reliable alternative to the submarine cables in the Red Sea, which have been plagued by frequent disruptions caused by conflicts, natural disasters, sabotage and general degradation. The damage has resulted in prolonged internet outages and significant repair costs for Ethio telecom, ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 dollars. A technical glitch in February resulted in a 1.5-million-dollar repair bill and a four-month outage. By establishing a land-based network, the three telecom companies hope to enhance the reliability of internet services and provide a redundant communication link connecting Africa to Europe and Asia overland. The signees seek to finalize the contract by the end of January and commence services by April. The first phase of the project, expected to be completed by April 2025, will deliver a capacity of one terabit. The new fiber lines are projected to have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.


Radar

Bank of Abyssinia Signs Partnership with Droga Cooperative

Bank of Abyssinia has entered into a partnership agreement with Droga Health & Financial Savings and Credit Cooperative to provide financial support and services for its members. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Bank's headquarters. The deal aims to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, enabling cooperative members to access tailored banking services. It was signed by Wosenyeleh Abera, Deputy CEO for Customer Relations and Marketing at the bank, and Zelalem Yilma...


Radar

Wegagen Introduces Real Time SWIFT Tracking

Wegagen Bank has launched a new mobile app feature enabling customers to track international SWIFT payments in real time. The bank is the first in Ethiopia to introduce an online SWIFT payment tracking system. By integrating SWIFT Global Payment Innovation, customers, particularly those involved in import-export trade, can monitor cross-border transactions using a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference (UETR) directly from their smartphones. To use the service, customers select the SWIFT...


Radar

National ID, Zambia Partners to Expands Program Reach

The National ID Program has signed an agreement with Zambia's counterpart to provide consulting services for the development of software that will issue digital IDs. It is the first time the institution has extended its expertise beyond national borders, a sign of growing recognition for its rapid progress. Program officials described the partnership as a milestone in their effort to position themselves as a regional player in digital transformation. The collaboration is expected to center...