Nigeria, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Portugal and other stakeholders, have taken steps to proffer solutions to the disruptions of submarine cables and strengthening resilience to protect the infrastructure that is central to growth and sustenance of global digital economy.

This was the crux of the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit that commenced in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city on Wednesday. It was aimed at fostering global collaboration, secure innovative solutions, and engage leaders from government, industry and international organisations.

In his remarks during the opening session of the summit, the first of its kind in 25 years, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the summit was to strengthen this vital global digital infrastructure, following challenges occasioned by cable cuts in recent times.

The International Advisory Board for Submarine Cable Resilience, created by the ITU in partnership with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) were tasked with the duty of fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue on a global scale.

According to the Nigerian Minister, “the resilience of our submarine cable network is of paramount importance, one that directly impacts economies, security, and digital inclusion globally. Submarine cables form the backbone of the global digital connectivity, carrying over 95% of international traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies.”

He challenged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration against natural disasters or human activities that may affect the submarine cables as it happened in March 2024 when cuts in the cables disrupted operations and affected many countries in the world including African countries, some with severe toll on their economies.

It is estimated that between 100 and 200 disruptions happen each year, and sometimes significant delays to repair with millions of people affected.

Tijani pointed out that the summit underscored the need for collaborative action in addressing the vulnerabilities and ensuring a resilient, secure, and sustainable world.

He emphasised that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is committed to strengthening its digital infrastructure and advancing policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.

“We are taking decisive steps as a nation to recognize and protect the government’s infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across all sectors.

“As a government, we are also deeply invested in leveraging digital property infrastructure, promoting global access, and expanding broadband penetration, ensuring that connectivity remains a catalyst for economic transformation and revolution.

“The outcomes of this summit will not only influence policy and investment decisions, but also serve as the foundation for global cooperation and long-term resilience,” he said.

The ITU Secretary General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, during the summit, said that as the global economies and digital innovations grow, this global undersea network is emblematic of the innovation and the investment required in connecting the world meaningfully.

“At the end of last year, we had 5.5 billion internet users. And today, the global digital economy is growing faster than global GDP and is expected to reach 16.5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2028. Over the next decade, some estimate that more than two-thirds of the new value creation could come from digitally-enabled companies.

“As digital transformation continues to reshape our global economy, the undersea cable networks that form its foundation require renewed attention, especially when it comes to resilience. Cables are built to operate for around 25 years, and reliability has always been a top priority,’’ the ITU boss said.

Bogdan-Martin said further that the ITU new advisory body on cable will provide best practices for governments and industry players to ensure timely cable deployments and repairs, improve service continuity, and reduce the risk of disruptions.

Prof Sandra Maximiano, Chief of ANACOMs board of Directors, Portugal, said the summit  highlighted the critical importance of subsea cable businesses.

Prof Maximiano called for regulatory measures and special attention to regions, countries, and remote islands where economic incentives for prompt response mechanisms are lower, rendering them even more vulnerable and more exposed to cable failures.