Ethio Telecom, Djibouti Telecom, and Sudatel Group have signed a tripartite agreement in Djibouti to launch the "Horizon" cross-border fiber optic project. This strategic partnership aims to deploy high-capacity optical fiber infrastructure, linking Djibouti’s extensive undersea cable network to Sudan via Ethiopia. The initiative is expected to significantly elevate regional and international internet connectivity across East Africa.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamiru described the project as a decisive step toward establishing a "connectivity corridor" that digitally integrates Africa. She emphasized that the partnership serves as a practical demonstration of African cooperation, providing a blueprint for how the continent’s operators can collaboratively overcome shared infrastructure challenges.

Djibouti Telecom CEO Mohamed Assoweh Bouh highlighted that the Horizon project marks a new chapter in regional telecommunications infrastructure, underscoring its strategic importance in strengthening digital sovereignty. 

Meanwhile, Sudatel CEO Magdi M. Abdullah Taha noted that the project replaces traditional competition among operators with collaboration, creating new value for individual customers, enterprises, and global data giants.

Beyond the immediate economic benefits, the agreement indicates that this massive fiber expansion will establish the region as a robust and reliable gateway within the global digital ecosystem, fostering a more resilient internet landscape for the Horn of Africa.