Google has begun recruiting a Technical Program Manager for its planned submarine cable landing station and network facility in Hithadhoo, Addu City, signalling continued progress on one of the largest digital infrastructure investments ever announced for the Maldives.
The position, recently advertised by Google, will oversee the development and operation of the cable landing station and associated outside plant infrastructure. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating construction activities, managing suppliers and contractors, overseeing operational facilities, and ensuring the project is delivered on schedule.
The recruitment drive comes months after Google announced plans to establish an international submarine cable landing station in Addu as part of its “Dhivaru” Trans-Indian Ocean subsea cable system. The project is expected to connect the Maldives with Oman and Australia’s Christmas Island, strengthening digital connectivity across the Indian Ocean region.
The Dhivaru cable forms part of Google’s wider strategy to expand global internet infrastructure and improve network resilience between Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Oceania. Maldivian authorities have described the investment as a transformative development that could position the country as a strategic digital gateway in the Indian Ocean.
Government officials have repeatedly highlighted the significance of the project. According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Hithadhoo facility is expected to support multiple international submarine cable systems and complement existing connectivity hubs in Greater Malé and Kulhudhuffushi, creating a geographically distributed network across the Maldives.
Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed said earlier this year that the project is expected to help transform Addu City into a regional digital centre, with Hithadhoo becoming a key connection point on a route linking Oman and Australia through the Maldives.
Beyond improving international connectivity, officials believe the investment could create opportunities in cloud computing, fintech, digital content services and technology startups. The project is also expected to support the government’s efforts to diversify the economy beyond tourism and generate high-skilled employment opportunities for Maldivians.
Google’s decision to recruit a dedicated manager for the project is viewed as another indication that preparations for the Addu facility are advancing from the planning stage toward implementation. While construction timelines have not yet been publicly announced, the recruitment suggests that technical and operational planning is gathering pace.
The project follows discussions held between President Mohamed Muizzu and Google executives in New York in September 2024, which government officials have credited with helping secure the investment.
Once completed, the Addu cable landing station is expected to strengthen the Maldives’ position within global digital infrastructure networks and enhance the country’s role as a connectivity hub linking major regions across the Indian Ocean.
