Africa and Europe are considering two major underwater tunnel projects worth about €800 million and up to €20 billion as both regions look to secure alternative trade routes in response to growing risks in global shipping lanes.
According to Business Insider Africa, one proposal involves an undersea highway linking Morocco to Portugal, designed to connect road networks across the Atlantic and reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime routes.
The project, estimated at over €800 million, would connect North Africa to Southern Europe through a subsea tunnel integrated with existing transport infrastructure.
At the same time, a much larger and longer-standing plan to build a rail tunnel between Morocco and Spain is regaining momentum, with projected costs ranging between €15 billion and €20 billion.
The Morocco–Spain link could stretch roughly 42 kilometres, including about 27 kilometres underwater, and significantly cut travel time between the two continents.
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These developments are being driven by increasing instability in key global shipping corridors, prompting governments and investors to rethink traditional maritime trade routes and explore more resilient infrastructure alternatives.
What This Means For Africa
This signals a strategic shift in how Africa connects to global trade. Instead of relying heavily on sea routes that are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and disruptions, the continent is beginning to explore fixed infrastructure that can offer more stability and predictability.
For Africa, these projects could significantly reduce trade friction with Europe, shorten delivery times, and open up new logistics and industrial opportunities, particularly in North Africa. They also position countries like Morocco as critical gateways between continents, strengthening their role in global supply chains.
However, the scale and complexity of these projects also highlight a key challenge. Execution, financing, and political coordination will determine whether they become transformative infrastructure or remain ambitious concepts.
If delivered successfully, they could redefine Africa’s trade connectivity. If delayed or poorly managed, the continent may continue to depend on fragile maritime routes for global commerce.
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Image Credit: Business Insider Africa
