Libyan telecommunications provider O3 has landed the Medusa submarine cable in Benghazi, as part of a wider infrastructure investment programme aimed at improving connectivity and positioning the country as a digital hub linking Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
The company said its data centre, which it describes as the first of its kind in Libya, is under construction and expected to become operational by March 2027.
The facility’s design has received Tier III Certification of Design Documents from the Uptime Institute.
The Medusa landing marks the first phase of a series of projects O3 plans to roll out from December 2026 through 2027.
These include a national fibre network, digital services, an international education programme and the development of telecommunications infrastructure.
According to O3, the projects are at different stages of construction and deployment, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027.
The Medusa submarine cable system extends more than 8,700km across the Mediterranean, providing high-capacity connectivity between Europe and North Africa.
O3 said a second landing in Tripoli is planned for the end of 2027.
“O3’s national fibre backbone will carry this international capacity to cities, businesses, public institutions and mobile networks across Libya, opening up new possibilities for learning, commerce and communications,” the company said.
It added that planned fibre routes south towards Kufra would extend through Chad into other landlocked African markets, supporting its ambition to establish Libya as a regional digital hub connecting Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr Faisel Gergab, chairman of O3 Group, said the company wanted to provide infrastructure that would enable businesses, institutions and young people to participate in the digital economy.
“Our aim is to give Libya state-of-the-art digital infrastructure to create the conditions for businesses, institutions and young people to participate fully in a modern, inclusive digital economy that can drive prosperity in Libya and beyond to our neighbours,” he said.
Data centre and mobile connectivity
O3 said its data centre would support local hosting, cloud services and business applications for telecommunications operators, financial institutions, government departments and other enterprises.
The facility is expected to enable more data and digital services to be hosted within Libya, reducing reliance on infrastructure located elsewhere.
Meanwhile, O3 Mobile is developing a national network that will offer 5G and fixed wireless access. The network will draw on the group’s international connectivity, national fibre backbone and data infrastructure to provide broadband services to consumers and businesses.
Deployment will take place in phases, starting with FWA connections for homes and workplaces. O3 plans to launch a 5G pilot in the greater Benghazi area in the first quarter of 2027.
The investment comes as Libya pursues broader telecommunications modernisation. ITWeb Africa reported in December 2025 that state-owned Libya Telecom planned to shut down 70 traditional telephone exchanges as part of a transition to a modern network.
In January 2026, ITWeb Africa also reported on plans by the country’s telecommunications holding company to work with US-based KBR on infrastructure development and 5G networks.
These initiatives reflect the wider push to upgrade the country’s connectivity infrastructure and improve telecommunications services.
Education and technology development
Beyond connectivity, O3 plans to establish O3 Technology Village, a facility intended to bring together entrepreneurs, businesses and technology professionals.
O3 Academy will offer technology courses and practical training, alongside incubation support to help start-ups develop their ideas into businesses and equip Libyans with skills for the technology sector.
The group has also entered into a partnership agreement with Cambridge World Academy to establish an education hub in Libya. The initiative is expected to offer a UK education pathway from primary school through to university-level study, enabling students to pursue internationally recognised qualifications while remaining in the country.
Norman Albi, CEO of Medusa Submarine Cable System, said the landing would strengthen Libya’s role in Mediterranean connectivity.
“Libya has an important role to play in the future of Mediterranean connectivity. The landing in Benghazi, followed by Tripoli, brings Libya into Medusa’s growing network of high-capacity routes across the Mediterranean,” he said.
O3’s planned combination of international cable capacity, domestic fibre, data centre services and mobile connectivity is intended to support digital services, fintech and businesses seeking to expand in Libya.
If the planned routes through Chad proceed, the infrastructure could also provide additional connectivity options for landlocked African markets, potentially strengthening digital links between Europe, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
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