project brief

Nzadi Cable System

category

Oil & Gas

client

Nzadi Consortium

start date

November 2020

end date

March 2021

location

Offshore Angola

the challenge

The Nzadi Consortium engaged WFN Strategies to develop and deploy a backbone-grade submarine fiber network designed to serve up to 30 offshore energy assets and facilitate regional internet access. Key objectives included planning a 14-fiber-pair main trunk route from Luanda to Cabinda, with a branching unit configured for future expansion to Soyo and neighboring countries.

Implementing this high-value infrastructure required navigating complex coastal bathymetry, dynamic marine environments, and substantial procurement and installation oversight. Project success also hinged on maximizing local economic impact—WFN was charged with supporting local content development through job creation, civil works contracts, and partnering with Angolan telcos to co-finance the system.

project goals

  • Develop technical feasibility, route engineering, and risk analysis for a trunk-and-branch cable configuration

  • Coordinate procurement, marine surveys, and cable implementation activities across offshore sites

  • Maximize use of local labor and contractors throughout the system’s construction and operation

  • Facilitate regional co-investment models to reduce cost and accelerate broader connectivity rollout

  • Set up infrastructure for future network extensions into Congo, DRC, and additional Angolan energy platforms

the result

WFN Strategies guided the Nzadi Cable System to Ready for Service status by Q4 2023. The engineering design, procurement management, marine execution, and local-content initiatives all aligned for a successful outcome.

With its high-capacity route, efficient branching design, and locally driven delivery, Nzadi is now a pivotal link in offshore connectivity and regional telecommunications infrastructure. The system enables broader broadband access while showcasing WFN’s ability to integrate engineering, implementation, and socioeconomic objectives in complex marine environments.

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