Algeria is set to connect to a new submarine fibre optic cable to enhance internet speeds across the country. The project was announced on December 15 by Sid Ali Zerrouki, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, during a radio interview.
The Algerian Press Service (APS) reported that the foundation stone for the new cable will be laid within the next two days. However, no specific details were provided about the infrastructure’s name, capacity, cost, technical partners, or timeline for commissioning.
According to the Submarine Cable Map platform, which tracks such infrastructure globally, two cables are scheduled to be operational in Algeria in 2026. These are Africa-1, with a nominal capacity of 200 to 300 Gbps, and the Medusa cable, which is currently under installation and expected to have its first phase completed in 2026. The Medusa cable will feature segments with up to 24 fibre pairs, each capable of reaching 20 terabits per second.
Currently, Algeria is connected via five submarine cables: TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medex, SeaMeWe-4, Oran-Valencia (ORVAL), Med Cable Network, and Alpal-2. The country’s total capacity is approximately 10.2 terabits per second, a level the Minister described as “comfortable,” supporting the country’s internet needs.
This capacity expansion aligns with Algeria’s ongoing digital transformation, driven by rising ICT adoption and increasing internet use. The GSMA projects average monthly data traffic in Africa will grow from 4 GB in 2024 to 9 GB by 2030.
The number of internet subscriptions in Algeria grew from about 18.6 million in December 2015 to roughly 59.1 million by June 2025. Data consumption surged from approximately 379.7 million GB in Q2 2020 to around 3.3 billion GB in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, bandwidth usage increased from 1,600 Gbps to 5,390 Gbps out of the current 10.2 terabits capacity. The country has also recently launched commercial 5G services, which require higher capacity and more powerful infrastructure.
Experts note that expanding submarine cable capacity can significantly reduce mobile broadband prices and promote digital services adoption. They also highlight the importance of developing a nationwide fibre optic network to extend connectivity beyond the coastline, ensuring broader access across the country.
