{"id":110903,"date":"2025-09-03T06:44:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T06:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/110903\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T06:44:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T06:44:15","slug":"meta-joins-safaricom-to-fix-kenyas-internet-fragility-with-new-subsea-cable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/110903\/","title":{"rendered":"Meta joins Safaricom to fix Kenya\u2019s internet fragility with new subsea cable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kenya\u2019s internet future may be getting a serious upgrade, and it\u2019s coming through a $23 million subsea cable project that has the backing of Safaricom<\/a> and Meta<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The cable, Daraja, will run from Mombasa to Oman in the Middle East, carrying 24 fibre pairs, a big jump from the 8 to 16 typically seen in most existing systems, and is expected to be completed in 2026. Daraja promises not just faster internet, but more reliable connectivity for a region that has often felt the sting of outages whenever older systems like SEACOM or EASSy suffered damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meta\u2019s involvement is not far-fetched, seeing that it comes through its infrastructure arm, Edge Network Services, neatly fitting into the company\u2019s broader push to expand Africa\u2019s digital capacity. The social media giant is already one of the largest investors in 2Africa, the 45,000 km subsea cable set to go live in 2025, which will circle the continent with 180 Tbps capacity and span 33 countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Analysts estimate projects like these could add up to $37 billion to Africa\u2019s GDP over the coming years, proving that faster internet goes beyond smoother video calls or quicker downloads, hitting economic growth.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Safaricom & iXAfrica partner to bring East Africa its first AI-ready data centre<\/p>\n

Both companies hope the data center will accelerate innovation and digital transformation for businesses across the region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For Safaricom<\/a>, this partnership solidifies its role not just as a telecom operator but as a builder of the infrastructure that will define Kenya\u2019s digital future. Already famous for M-Pesa and its extensive mobile network, the company is now laying the groundwork for a more resilient internet backbone that could benefit not only Kenya but also its landlocked neighbours, such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.<\/p>\n

Kenya\u2019s regulators are on board too. The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has already cleared the project after reviewing environmental and social impact assessments, ensuring the cable-laying follows international standards and safeguards the coastline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The timing couldn\u2019t be more important. Africa\u2019s east coast is becoming a hotspot for subsea investment, with the PEACE cable going live in 2022 and Africa-1 scheduled to follow in 2025. <\/p>\n

And while Meta\u2019s involvement no doubt aligns with its business goals of putting more people online to use Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and WhatsApp<\/a>, the outcome still works in Kenya\u2019s favour. A stronger internet that can power innovation, support government services, and bring more people into the digital economy.<\/p>\n


\n
\n \"Oyinebiladou <\/p>\n


\n Updated
\n
\n
\n September 02, 2025
\n \n <\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

Link copied!
\n Copy failed! <\/p>\n