How important is Africa to Middle East connectivity?

Over 160 million Africans gained broadband internet access between 2019 and 2022 with a 115% increase in internet users between 2016 and 2021 in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the region’s digital infrastructure coverage, access, and quality still lag other regions.  How can Africa create the optimum environment for digital transformation, and how would this benefit Middle Eastern connectivity?

• Will there ever be true pan continental infrastructure across Africa?
• Which countries have the most open, progressively regulated telecoms industry and when will we see a common framework to manage sovereignty across the region?
• Which locations are the most sustainable?
• How would alternative terrestrial fibre routes bisecting sub-Saharan Africa help connect the Middle East to Europe?