Meta Halts 2Africa Pearls Subsea Cable Deployment in Red Sea and Persian Gulf Due to Regional Conflict
Here's what it means for you.
Expect slower connectivity and delayed digital expansion across Africa, the Gulf, and South Asia as a $36.9 billion internet backbone project hits indefinite pause.
What happened
On March 12, 2026, Meta’s 2Africa Pearls subsea cable build was suspended in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf after Alcatel Submarine Networks declared force majeure due to escalating regional hostilities.
The Context
- 3 Billion Users Impacted: The 2Africa system was set to boost internet speeds and reliability for nearly 40% of the world’s population across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- Conflict-driven Delays: Houthi military activity and the US-Iran war have repeatedly halted cable-laying operations since 2023, freezing progress on critical segments.
- Gulf Bottlenecks: Key landing points—including Dubai—face extended slowdowns, with local ISPs already reporting reduced speeds and digital bottlenecks.
The Number
— Projected GDP boost for Africa within three years of core 2Africa operations, now at risk due to the suspension.
Takeaway
Expect rerouting, higher costs, and ongoing digital slowdowns until regional security stabilizes and cable work can safely resume.
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Meta’s massive undersea cable project has been put on hold by regional hostilities – 2Africa Pearls project suffers another setback
Meta's 2Africa undersea cable project, specifically the Red Sea and 'Pearls' sections, has been put on hold due to ongoing regional hostilities in the Middle East.
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Meta's massive undersea cable project delayed in Persian Gulf as Iran conflict escalates
*# Meta's 2Africa undersea cable project has been delayed in the Persian Gulf as escalating conflict involving Iran has led Alcatel Submarine Networks to declare force majeure, halting work in the region. *# The pause in the cable project highlights ...
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Sources: Meta has paused the Persian Gulf section of its 2Africa subsea cable project as the war in the Middle East freezes activity in the region (Bloomberg)
Meta Platforms Inc. has paused the Persian Gulf section of its 2Africa subsea cable project due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has frozen activity in the region.