Google Equiano Sea Cable lands in Lagos
Director, Google West Africa, Juliet Ehimuan; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu signing the Equiano project, CEO of West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), Chris Wood and the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, during a reception marking the Landing of the Google Equiano Cable System in Nigeria, at the Open Access Data Centre, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, 21 April 2022.

Google Equiano Sea Cable To Create 1.6m Jobs, $10b GDP – Sanwo-Olu 

2 years ago
2 mins read

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday have insights as to how the landing of a new sea cable system, the Google Equiano, in Nigeria would create 1.6 million jobs and $10 billion in additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in just three years.

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at a reception to mark the virtual landing of the cable system at the Open Access Data Centre at Lekki in Lagos on Thursday, said the cable system would align with other investments in high-speed internet to help Lagos witness an unprecedented digital revolution that would cement its global reputation as a hub for entrepreneurial innovation.

The Governor said the new cable system is the latest element in transforming the physical infrastructure landscape, new roads, bridges, jetties, factories, municipal and national rail lines, among others being delivered by his administration and a host of partners and stakeholders across public and private sectors.

The landing of Equiano Sea Cable System will firmly position Nigeria as the regional connectivity and content hub for West Africa, attracting cloud operators, content providers, content distribution networks and their associated ecosystems.

Named after a Nigerian hero, Olaudah Equiano, who survived enslavement in the 18th century and went on to become a famous writer and anti-slavery activist, the new cable system represents a demonstration of the seriousness with which Google LLC views Nigeria, the economic and demographic giant of Africa, Sanwo-Olu said.

He said his administration is determined to deliver on its promise of making and maintaining Lagos as a safe, livable, innovative and prosperous mega city.

“I am told that this new Equiano cable system, landing today, will deliver twenty times as much network capacity as any of the existing systems serving Nigeria,’’ the governor said.

“This means much faster internet speed, reduced cost, and greater access for our people. The net effect of this is much-needed jobs and economic growth. The economic impact assessment for the project estimates that Nigeria will enjoy a boost of 1.6 million jobs and 10 billion dollars in additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next three years, on account of the new cable system.

“There is much to be excited about, at a time like this in the unfolding history of Lagos State and of Nigeria. We are seeing an unprecedented inflow of investments into every part of Lagos, from local and foreign investors who understand the immense business and commercial potential that the State symbolises.

“We say it often, that wherever Lagos goes, Nigeria and West Africa follow. With this in mind, as the government of Lagos State, we are more than ever determined to deliver on our promise to make and maintain Lagos as a safe, livable, innovative and prosperous megacity.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended Google LLC, the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and other investors for identifying with his administration’s vision for a truly 21st century Lagos and a megacity all will forever be proud of.

“I congratulate Google LLC for envisioning this huge project, and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) for helping implement it to the highest levels of excellence. Your partnership is commendable, and should be seen as a model by other players in the ecosystem, a testament to how much can be achieved when synergy is pursued.

“In addition to this cable system, I am told that WIOCC is presently completing, on this same site, a Tier III certified, Open Access Data Centre, which will also host the landing station for the Equiano cable. This data centre will be the most client-centric data centre, and the largest data center campus, in West Africa,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WIOCC, Chris Wood, described the landing of the submarine cables as a major investment for Nigeria’s digital economy and Lagos State in particular.

He said the submarine cables will deliver high-speed internet connectivity at a reduced cost

Wood also appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing an enabling environment for the investment of this nature to birth in Lagos State.

Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm; Director, Google West Africa, Juliet Ehimuan; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; CEO of West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), Chris Wood; Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the Sales Director – West Africa at WIOCC, Nikki Popoola, during a reception marking the Landing of the Google Equiano Cable System in Nigeria, at the Open Access Data Centre, Lekki, Lagos, on Thursday, 21 April 2022.

 

 

 


MOST READ

Follow Us

Latest from Featured Posts

Don't Miss

Google: France Imposes €250m Fine For Copyright Infringement

Google: France Imposes €250m Fine For Copyright Infringement

Google faces a hefty €250 million fine from