A new submarine cable is set to connect Morocco to the Canary Islands to enhance digital and energy connectivity. The Spanish company Islalink is preparing to launch this strategic project aimed at strengthening digital links and facilitating data and energy exchanges between the two shores. The logistical operations for the implementation of the project are expected to begin this year, with completion anticipated by 2026.
This cable will extend from the “Arinaga” area on Gran Canaria island, passing through Fuerteventura before reaching the Moroccan coast, where the cities of Tarfaya and Boujdour are considered as potential landing points for the cable. This maritime connection is expected to reduce response times and enhance the network’s data transport capacity, while it is also anticipated to play a significant role in future energy exchange projects.
The project is being carried out under relatively discreet circumstances, with cable laying operations occurring underwater and without extensive media coverage. In the Arinaga area, local fishermen have noticed unusual movements of ships, which has fueled speculation regarding the project’s activities in the area.
The investment in the project is estimated at around 13.5 million euros, funded by the “Connecting Europe” program managed by the European Union. Although an official name for the project has not yet been announced, media sources indicate it is among major strategic projects aimed at connecting the African continent to the Canary Islands and Europe.
This project reflects a clear trend towards strengthening Moroccan-Spanish cooperation in infrastructure, digital, and energy connectivity, within a regional context aimed at accelerating continental connection projects and enhancing economic and technological integration.
