Mali activates new international link

Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, activated a new fiber-optic link with Senegal on October 5. This connection aims to improve the country's access to international Internet networks by adding a new route for data traffic.

New link connects to undersea cables

The new link connects Mali’s national fiber-optic network to an undersea cable system that passes through Cape Verde and Portugal. This allows Malian Internet traffic to use a new international route, reducing reliance on existing connections.

Mali has multiple land-based connections

Mali already has several land-based fiber-optic links with neighboring countries. The World Bank reported 12 such links in 2023, providing access to undersea cables through countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.

Diverse connections reduce single-point risks

Having multiple routes for Internet traffic is important for a landlocked country like Mali. It reduces the risk of outages if one route fails and allows for rerouting data through alternative corridors.

National network remains incomplete

Despite the new international link, Mali’s national fiber-optic network is still incomplete. The World Bank says 29 of the country’s 57 districts and 130 of its 704 secondary cities are not yet connected to the backbone network.

Challenges in network quality and expansion

The existing national network faces issues with quality and reliability. The World Bank noted frequent outages on parts of the SMTD backbone, particularly where fiber is buried underground. Road conditions, security concerns, and limited resources also hinder maintenance and expansion.

More infrastructure needed for full connectivity

Expanding Internet access in Mali requires more than just fiber-optic cables. Additional infrastructure like mobile relay antennas, data centers, and electrical systems is also needed to support the growth of the telecom network.