Layer3 Completes AfricaConnect3 Project, Boosting West & Central Africa's Research & Education Connectivity
Layer3 has completed a significant project, delivering the core network infrastructure for WACREN's AfricaConnect3 (AC3) initiative. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to bolster digital infrastructure in West and Central Africa, fostering collaboration among research and education institutions.
The AC3 project, part of WACREN's efforts to strengthen regional networks, involves 16 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Layer3 was chosen to supply and deploy cutting-edge networking solutions across these nations and France, capable of scaling WACREN's backbone to 400GbE.
The project entailed setting up a state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre in Accra, Ghana, equipped with high-performance servers and enterprise-grade power systems. This centre, along with Juniper MX and EX devices, LTE-enabled terminal servers, and performance monitoring systems, forms the backbone of the AC3 project. Godwin Michaels, Chief Technology Officer at Layer3, confirmed the infrastructure is designed to scale up to 400GbE, ensuring future-proof connectivity. Omo Oaiya, Chief Strategy Officer of WACREN, highlighted the project's significance in shaping the digital future of African research and education.
The AC3 project, funded by the European Union and executed by WACREN, has been successfully delivered by Layer3. This enhanced infrastructure enables universities, research centres, and innovation hubs across West and Central Africa to engage more actively in global knowledge exchange and provides a robust foundation for emerging fields. With the ability to scale up to 400GbE, the project ensures that African research and education connectivity remains future-proof.
