Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and John Kennedy have introduced a bipartisan legislation, the DiasporaLink Act, that promotes economic development and stronger US-African relations.
The legislation would direct a study to explore the cost, feasibility, and value of developing an undersea fiber-optic cable between the East Coast of the US and Africa, particularly focusing on Nigeria and Ghana.
“This bipartisan effort is a crucial first step in strengthening America’s global leadership in the telecommunications space–something that impacts our daily lives in an increasingly digital world,” said Senator Warnock.
The cable would serve as both an instrument of national security and a digital commerce highway, with the hopes of boosting America’s global political, economic, and military advantages. Additionally, it would “represent America’s commitment to countering the proliferation of China’s influence in the global telecommunications space and supporting our regional allies,” says Warnock’s State Press Secretary Matt Krack.
Undersea cables, according to Krack, are internet highways anchored to the ocean floor that connect two continents. He says they are critical to global communication because they carry 99% of the world’s internet traffic.
As of April 2022, the world has nearly 500 commercial undersea cable systems and over 1,300 landing stations, or the points where the cables make landfall. Currently, the US has direct cables to Europe and South America, but no direct cables to Africa.
“Every day, China is laying the groundwork to dominate Africa by controlling internet infrastructure. Beijing is building undersea cables for intelligence transmission, financial transactions, and more. This bipartisan bill would help the U.S. defend American interests and support our friends in Africa against the predations of Communist China,” said Senator Kennedy.
The legislation could result in the following:
- Spurring economic development at landing stations in Africa by increasing reliable broadband access
- Strengthening data security in the United States and Africa
- Bolstering economic and diplomatic ties between the United States and African nations
