Tech Desk 
Feb 21, 2025
An undated image. — iStock
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) officially announced that the Africa-1 submarine cable project will be fully operational in 2026. This initiative is set to provide connectivity between the UAE, Europe, and Africa, along with multiple landing stations.
Earlier in November 2020, the Board of Directors approved an investment of $59.5 million for the Africa-1 submarine cable project.
PTCL stated that it started investing in the project annually as part of its CAPEX starting in 2021.
Till 2025, approximately 75% of the total investment has been completed over four years, with the expectation that the full or maximum project cost will be reached within the year.
The project is likely to gain its Ready for Service (RFS) in Q1 2026. Once the RFS is completed, the Africa-1 submarine cable will be fully operational, and the company will start generating revenue from the project.
According to PTCL, the groundbreaking celebration for joining the high-capacity, Africa-1 submarine cable is scheduled for February 22, 2025, making its landfall at PTCL landing site at Sea View, Karachi.
It will mark a transformative step in improving Pakistan’s digital connectivity.
