Nigeria Leads Global Summit To Protect Submarine Cables From Sabotage

Representatives from various governments and industry executives met in Abuja at the International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit to outline steps to improve the resilience of submarine cable systems, which have become integral to the global economy.

There is mounting concern that damage to the network of about 500 telecommunications cables, which carry more than 99 of international data traffic, has the potential to disrupt entire economies and hinder access to public services for millions.

The two-day event was organised by Nigerias ministry of communications, innovation digital economy in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and the International Cable Protection Committee ICPC.

"This summit brought together the global submarine cable industry and governments to focus on the continued protection and resilience of this critical infrastructure," said ICPC chairman Graham Evans. "This cooperation provides a key opportunity to work together on the practical steps to promote best practices to enhance the resilience of submarine cables across the world."

Submarine cables are susceptible to damage from various sources. Some, like general wear and tear, corrosion, extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and interactions with marine life are simply a consequence of the hostile oceanic environment these cables are laid in.