PTC announces landing of Africa-1 Submarine cable in Karachi

The Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTC) has announced the landing of the high-capacity Africa-1 submarine cable at Sea View, Karachi, scheduled for February 22.

This development is set to enhance Pakistan's digital connectivity significantly.

The project, initially approved in November 2020 with an investment of $59.5 million, aims to provide connectivity between the UAE, Europe, and Africa.

The PTC has been investing annually in the project as part of its capital expenditure since 2021. To date, approximately 75% of the total investment has been completed, with the expectation that the full cost will be reached within the year.

The project is set to achieve its Ready for Service (RFS) status in Q1 2026, after which the Africa-1 submarine cable will be fully operational, contributing positively to PTC's revenue growth.

The Africa-1 submarine cable system spans 10,000 km, with initial landings in Kenya, Djibouti, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and France. Additional landings will include Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, and other Mediterranean countries.

The Africa-1 consortium, which includes Etisalat, G42, Mobily, PTC, and Telecom Egypt, signed the Construction and Maintenance Agreement (C&MA) on December 11, 2018, in Dubai. More parties are expected to join the consortium soon.