At a Glance
- Meta and Safaricom partner to build new high-capacity submarine cable linking Kenya and Oman.
- The project strengthens Kenya’s role as East Africa’s digital and technology hub.
- Safaricom manages local operations as Meta expands Africa’s internet backbone.
Kenya’s fast-growing digital economy is taking a major step forward as Meta Platforms Inc. and Safaricom PLC team up to build a new high-capacity submarine cable system along the East African coast.
The project, announced through Meta’s subsidiary Edge Network Services Limited, is expected to expand the nation’s internet backbone and cement Kenya’s standing as a regional technology hub.
The undersea cable, which will link Oman and Kenya, is fully financed by Meta. Safaricom will act as the landing partner, overseeing local infrastructure and ensuring smooth integration into the national network.
The system is built to deliver faster, more reliable internet speeds that support the growth of cloud computing, digital trade, fintech, and content streaming across East Africa.
A new chapter for Kenya’s connectivity
“This partnership marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 25 years of Safaricom,” said Peter Ndegwa, the company’s chief executive.
“It reinforces our transformation into a full-scale technology company that supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and meets the region’s need for dependable, high-capacity connectivity.”
The Oman–Kenya link will complement existing cables such as TEAMS and SEACOM, which already connect Kenya to the global internet backbone.
By adding another route for data exchange between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the system is expected to improve resilience and cut latency critical for industries that rely on real-time communication and data storage.
Tech giants back Africa’s internet expansion
Under the agreement, Safaricom will manage the cable’s operations within Kenya’s territorial waters, while Meta’s Edge Network Services will handle the broader architecture and integration with global networks.
The collaboration also advances Safaricom’s plan to become Africa’s leading purpose-driven technology company by 2030, with growing interests in AI, enterprise cloud, and cybersecurity solutions.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has ramped up its investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure in recent years. It played a central role in 2Africa, one of the world’s largest undersea cable projects designed to improve global connectivity.
As Meta continues to build the digital foundations for emerging markets, the Kenya–Oman cable underscores how essential connectivity remains to Africa’s economic and social transformation.
