Japan finances first cable link across ocean from Angola to Brazil

The continents of Africa and South America are to be linked with the first trans-South Atlantic  optical submarine cable in an historic project financed by Japan.

Portugese-speaking Angola and Brazil are the landing points for the 6,200-km link, which will connect to a vast network encompassing all the Americas.

The optical submarine cable is then planned to be linked to the U.S.-bound submarine cable under construction at the landing station in Brazil, building a vast communications network spanning from Angola to North America via South America– JBIC statement

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is helping to fund the project.

JBIC said on 31 March that it had signed a loan agreement with Angola’s state-run development bank to finance the construction.

"This project will lay the world’s first optical submarine cable across the South Atlantic, directly linking the African continent to South America," JBIC said in a statement.

It added: "The optical submarine cable is then planned to be linked to the U.S.-bound submarine cable under construction at the landing station in Brazil, building a vast communications network spanning from Angola to North America via South America."

The 6,200 km (3,850 mile) system will be manufactured and laid by NEC Corp (NEC) on behalf of Angola Cables S.A, an Angolan telecom operator.

JBIC said the $109.7m loan will be co-financed with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). Of that, JBIC will provide $65.8m, SMBC the rest.

Angola, rich in oil and Africa’s third-largest economy, shares language, cultural and economic with Brazil.

Image: The 6,200-km link will connect to a vast network encompassing all the Americas. The route shown is not accurate and is for illustration purposes only (Google Maps/GCR)