Safaricom has been signed up as a landing partner to a new high-capacity submarine cable connecting Oman and Kenya.
by Blue Africa News
Meta, the parent company which owns Facebook and other social media platforms, has entered into a deal with Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider to bring its second submarine cable to the East African nation.
The submarine cable is designed for installation in deep-sea conditions, featuring a central core of optical fibers surrounded by steel wire strength and protective layers to withstand mechanical stresses, water pressure, and environmental hazards, carrying power for offshore wind fields and secure telecommunication links between islands, countries and continents.
Under the deal, Meta through its subsidiary, Edge Network Services Limited has signed up Safaricom as a landing partner to a new high-capacity submarine cable connecting Oman and Kenya.
Christened Daraja (Swahili for bridge), the cable will span 4,108 kilometers across the Indian Ocean, becoming operational in 2026.
“This deal is a significant strategic milestone for us at Safaricom as we mark 25 years and signals our readiness to transition into a fully-fledged tech company in line with our vision 2030 strategy,” said Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa in a press release.
According to Ndegwa, the milestone positions Safaricom to meet the surging demand for “high-capacity, low-latency connectivity which is critical for powering economic growth, cloud adoption, and digital innovation.”
He said the partnership reinforces Safaricom’s commitment to deliver faster, more resilient and future-proof connectivity in line with its vision, to be Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030.
“It also positions the company at the forefront of digital transformation, empowering businesses, communities, and consumers with the bandwidth they need to thrive in a connected world.”
The under-sea cable System will be fully funded by Edge, whereas locally licensed operators in Kenya and Oman will be contracted to operate the cable segment within territorial waters, as well as all associated in-country infrastructure.
According to market data, the global submarine cable industry was valued at US$21.3 billion in 2019, and was projected to grow at an annual rate of 7.1% from 2020 to 2027.
In related development, American technology giant Google in September announced plans to set up four new subsea cable connectivity hubs across Africa, a move expected to significantly boost internet access and digital infrastructure on the continent.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News