Subsea cable connection from Mauritania to Europe, planned by EllaLink, set for completion by 2027.
Mauritania Gains Direct European Connection with Completed EllaLink Subsea Cable
In a significant development for Mauritania's digital infrastructure, the EllaLink subsea cable project was completed and went into commercial service in 2021. This high-capacity fiber optic cable links Europe (Portugal and Spain) directly to Latin America, with landing points including West Africa for improved connectivity.
The new connection, which includes the construction of a Cable Landing Station in Nouadhibou, the second largest city of Mauritania, provides the country with a direct and cost-effective international connection to Europe. This development is expected to strengthen Mauritania's international network, reinforce its digital transformation, and reduce the risk of disruption to the Mauritanian economy.
Philippe Dumont, CEO of EllaLink, expressed his enthusiasm about the new connection, stating that it is part of EllaLink's strategy to expand connectivity across geographies along its transatlantic route. The European Investment Bank and the CEF Digital program of the European Commission are supporting the new submarine cable project in Mauritania.
The new submarine cable is expected to deliver an initial 200Gbps low latency direct circuit between the new cable landing station of Nouadhibou and EllaLink's Point of Presence in Madrid. The capacity of the new submarine cable is set to grow for the next 25 years.
Alcatel Submarine Networks has been selected to build the subsea section of the new infrastructure. A +500km branch will be connected to EllaLink's existing subsea cable system. The subsea section will include two fibre pairs and use state-of-the-art optical technologies.
While no updated timeline for EllaLink's completion or upgrade beyond 2021 has been reported in recent sources as of mid-2025, the cable is operational and stable, delivering the stated international connectivity benefits to Mauritania and other regions in its route.
The new infrastructure will provide Mauritania with direct cost-effective international connectivity up to European main exchanges. It offers direct, cost-effective access to key internet exchanges in Europe, and is expected to deliver capacity for digital economic advancement in Mauritania.
In conclusion, the EllaLink subsea cable project has significantly improved Mauritania's international connectivity, providing a low-latency and cost-efficient route to Europe. The new infrastructure is operational and stable as of 2025, and is expected to support the digital transformation of Mauritania for the next 25 years.
- The operational EllaLink subsea cable, connecting Mauritania to Europe, represents an advancement in the country's infrastructure, offering direct and cost-effective access to key technology hubs in Europe.
- With the new technology integrated in the EllaLink subsea cable, Mauritania anticipates improved connectivity and increased capacity for digital economic development, fostering its digital transformation for the next 25 years.
