Tunisia Becomes First African Nation to Host MEDUSA Submarine Cable Landing

Tunisia has achieved a major digital milestone as the first African nation to host a landing for the MEDUSA submarine cable, a next-generation fiber-optic system connecting North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. 

The landing in Bizerte, managed in partnership with Orange Tunisie and the Medusa Submarine Cable System, marks a transformative step in Tunisia’s journey to becoming a regional connectivity hub.

Stretching over 8,000 kilometers, the MEDUSA cable includes a 1,040 km Tunisian segment capable of delivering up to 24 terabits per second — a dramatic boost to national bandwidth capacity. The infrastructure will enhance Tunisia’s high-speed, secure data exchange for businesses, public institutions, and consumers, positioning the country as a gateway for digital trade and innovation across Africa and Europe.

The launch event brought together key figures, including Stéphane Varret, CEO of Orange Tunisie, Norman Albi, CEO of Medusa Submarine Cable System, and ambassadors from the European Union, France, and Spain. All underscored the project’s role in advancing sustainable digital transformation and Euro-African cooperation.

“This landing represents Tunisia’s growing role as a digital bridge between Africa and Europe,” said Stéphane Varret. “It’s about empowering inclusion and ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with tomorrow’s technologies.”

Norman Albi described MEDUSA as “a strategic achievement that enhances continental digital sovereignty and accelerates integration with European networks.”

The project is co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility and the European Investment Bank under the Global Gateway strategy, which aims to bolster Africa’s connectivity, research, and innovation ecosystems.

Tech communities and startup founders in Tunisia welcomed the move on social media, calling it a “historic leap” for Africa’s digital independence.

The MEDUSA cable is part of a broader effort to strengthen Africa’s digital backbone. It features Distributed Acoustic Sensing and predictive maintenance technologies for long-term reliability—key for expanding cloud computing, AI, and smart city applications. 

The collaboration between Orange Tunisie and Tunisie Telecom will create new international connectivity routes, ensuring Tunisia’s leadership in digital innovation across the continent.

By hosting MEDUSA, Tunisia not only improves domestic broadband access but also attracts foreign investment, data centers, and tech startups—solidifying its position as a Mediterranean digital leader.

What’s Next

With the cable fully operational, Tunisia is expected to emerge as a vital node for intercontinental data exchange. The next phase includes deploying regional fiber networks to extend access to underserved areas and integrating new AI-powered digital services built on this resilient infrastructure.