Strengthening Connectivity for Research and Education Across the Mediterranean

Strengthening Connectivity for Research and Education Across the Mediterranean

Posted on: 11 Aug, 2026

New Sparkle–GÉANT capacity strengthens the link between Egypt, ASREN and Europe

International research increasingly depends on the ability to move large volumes of data quickly, reliably, and securely across borders. As scientific collaboration becomes more data-intensive, resilient international connectivity is becoming an increasingly important part of the research and education infrastructure.

Sparkle and GÉANT are strengthening their long-standing cooperation through new capacity agreements covering strategic routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The three connections include routes between Slough and Allan in Jordan, Marseille and Cairo, and Lagos and Cape Town, each contributing to the wider connectivity ecosystem supporting research and education networks.

For the EUMEDplus community, one of these developments is particularly significant: the Marseille–Cairo connection.

Connecting Egypt to the wider research and education ecosystem

The Marseille–Cairo route connects Egypt's National Scientific and Technical Information Network with the wider ASREN ecosystem and Europe through GÉANT, strengthening the exchange of research data, academic content, and educational resources between the Mediterranean and Europe.

The connection forms part of the EUMEDplus project, co-funded by the European Union, which aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, connectivity, and scientific cooperation between the Arab Mediterranean region and Europe. Connectivity is one of the foundations of this work, alongside developing NREN capabilities, services, and long-term sustainability.

For researchers and institutions, improved international connectivity can translate into more efficient collaboration and better access to distributed research infrastructure and resources. It is particularly valuable for scientific activities that depend on the transfer of large datasets and collaboration across institutions and countries.

More than a connection

The value of these connections goes beyond adding network capacity. Stronger links between research and education networks help create the conditions for data sharing, international collaboration, access to specialized resources, and participation in large-scale scientific projects.

This is at the heart of EUMEDplus: strengthening the infrastructure and capabilities that enable research and education communities in the region to participate more effectively in global scientific collaboration. As highlighted by GÉANT, the project's connectivity work is part of a broader effort to strengthen NRENs and increase access to modern digital infrastructure across the EU's Southern Neighborhood.

The Marseille–Cairo route is therefore one practical example of how investments in connectivity can contribute to a more connected Mediterranean research and education ecosystem.

Discover the wider connectivity story

The Marseille–Cairo connection is part of a broader set of new Sparkle–GÉANT capacity developments connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

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