The Albanian Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the company 4iG for the construction of a direct submarine cable line with Egypt, a project expected to turn Albania into a significant international hub.

Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku stated that the value of this investment is estimated at around 100-115 million euros, adding that this project is a supporting pillar for the country’s integration and development to enter the European Union.

“An innovative project that will turn Albania into an international connectivity hub. Fiber optic cable networks are the communication highways of the global future, now of strategic importance for countries with future developments. Today we are signing this memorandum of understanding with 4iG regarding the construction of a communication line that will connect Albania with Egypt.

As a system linking two countries, the planned route of submarine cables in the Mediterranean will be unique, adding to the diversity of digital routes that traditionally connect the Mediterranean, those linking Egypt with France and Italy, thus providing a third option. This system will dominate a considerable portion of the large market and traffic development, data between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe,” stated Balluku.

“From Egypt’s side, access to many subsea cables in the southeastern Mediterranean between the Red Sea and Asia, of course, and Africa, will be offered, in addition to the 10 trans-Egyptian land routes connecting the Mediterranean link segment and other extended Mediterranean Sea options. Egypt plays the role of an international hub for all digital highways. For Albania, the system will offer the shortest route to Frankfurt as well as important destinations for European digital traffic, effectively linking Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The investment, valued from 100 to 115 million euros, is welcomed by the Albanian Government, aligning with the policies we have for the development of technology and digitalization in our country,” she further explained.

“This project becomes a supporting pillar for the national strategy that concerns Albania’s integration and development to enter the EU, as one of the main priorities of this strategy,” concluded Belinda Balluku.