Global Infrastructure Sherpa

Meta-led consortium pauses 2Africa Pearls subsea cable work due to Middle East conflict

Type: Development · Technology: Telecom · Country: Oman · Announced: 2026-03-16

A consortium led by Meta Platforms, including Saudi Telecom Company’s Center3, has paused work on the Pearls branch of the 2Africa subsea cable network. Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), the French state-owned contractor, declared force majeure and ceased operations in the Persian Gulf region, citing unsafe conditions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Pearls branch, a 45,000-kilometer extension of the 2Africa network, was designed to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with landings planned in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia. Although much of the submarine cable infrastructure has been laid, several landing stations remain unconnected due to the suspension of activity, highlighting the vulnerability of critical subsea infrastructure to geopolitical instability.

Analysis

French state-owned Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has declared force majeure, pausing work on the Meta-led 2Africa Pearls subsea cable in the Persian Gulf. Citing unsafe conditions from the ongoing Middle East conflict, ASN's move leaves several landing stations unconnected across nine countries, including Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, despite much of the 45,000-kilometer cable already being laid. For Meta Platforms, a global technology company driven by massive data demands, and partner Center3, this disruption directly impacts a key extension designed to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The 2026-03-16 announcement highlights the tangible vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure to geopolitical instability in volatile regions.

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Counterparties

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