Agreement Signed Between Sparkle and Algérie Télécom for Construction of Submarine Cable Connecting Italy and Algeria
In a strategic move to strengthen digital ties between Europe and North Africa, Sparkle, an international service provider based in Italy, and Algérie Télécom, the leading national telecommunications operator in Algeria, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a new subsea cable linking the two countries.
The Italy-Algeria Business Forum, held in Rome, provided the perfect setting for this momentous agreement. The forum aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sectors such as energy, innovation, education, agriculture, and culture. This new partnership is a significant step in the broader strategy outlined by Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa, which aims to deepen economic and technological ties with Algeria through digital infrastructure cooperation.
The new submarine cable, once completed, is expected to deliver modern infrastructure and innovative solutions, providing high capacity, ultra-low latency, and full redundancy compared to existing infrastructures. This will significantly enhance Algeria’s digital transformation and bilateral digital infrastructure cooperation.
Sparkle leads as the European data centre and fiber provider responsible for establishing the cable link and related infrastructure. Algérie Télécom, being Algeria's national operator, will focus on leveraging the new infrastructure for domestic and international connectivity improvement and diversification of routes.
Beyond the cable itself, Sparkle and Algérie Télécom will collaborate on related services such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, data centre development, and technical training. A dedicated European point of presence will be established for Algérie Télécom to support these services.
Adel Bentoumi, CEO of Algérie Télécom, confirmed the long-standing relationship between the two companies and their shared commitment to innovation and excellence. Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle, expressed pride in contributing to Algeria's digital future by delivering modern infrastructure and secure solutions.
Adel Bentoumi believes that the project with Sparkle will diversify international routes and meet the increasing needs of customers across Algeria. He also emphasised that the new cable will support the growing demand for internet services and digital content, offering an outstanding connectivity experience for both consumers and businesses.
The exact technical specifications, landing points, and project timelines have not been publicly disclosed as of mid-2025. However, the announcement of this strategic partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing digital connectivity between Italy and Algeria, and further strengthening the economic and technological ties between the two countries.
- This collaboration between Sparkle and Algérie Télécom, as part of Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa, aims to increase cybersecurity and cloud computing capabilities through data-and-cloud-computing solutions.
- The new subsea cable, integrating modern technology, will deliver high capacity, ultra-low latency, and full redundancy, thereby enhancing the security of data transmitted between Italy and Algeria.
- The Italy-Algeria Business Forum has opened doors for strategic industry collaborations, particularly in finance, where the new infrastructure is expected to provide improved digital services and infrastructure.
- Beyond the submarine cable, Sparkle and Algérie Télécom will collaborate on providing education and training in technology sectors to ensure the sustainability of the digital infrastructure and the growth of the industry in Algeria.
- This partnership is a key step in advancing the digital infrastructure, not just between Italy and Algeria, but possibly within the broader industry, contributing to the ongoing digital transformation and shaping the future of Europe and North Africa's digital landscape.
