Djibouti (Dawan Africa) – Djibouti News Agency (ADI) reported on Tuesday that Djibouti Telecom plans to extend its DARE1 (Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1) submarine cable to South Africa by 2028, in a move aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and positioning Djibouti as a continental digital hub.
According to ADI, the new 3,200–3,500 km stretch will connect Mombasa, Kenya, to Mtunzini, northeast of Durban, with landing stations planned in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion expected two years later.
Djibouti Telecom told ADI that the expansion is essential to increase system capacity, reduce latency, and provide alternative data routes between East and Southern Africa. The operator stated that recent cable outages in May 2024, when EASSy and SEACOM lines were simultaneously cut, underscored the importance of resilience. “Resilience has become a priority for East Africa,” a Djibouti Telecom official told ADI.
Over the past decade, ADI noted, Djibouti has invested more than $200 million in multiple submarine cables, consolidating its role as an internet gateway for Ethiopia and other landlocked neighbors. The project is also part of the World Bank–backed Regional Digital Integration Project in East Africa.
The DARE1 system first entered service in 2021. Originating in Djibouti, it currently connects Berbera (Somaliland), Bosaso (Puntland), Mogadishu (Somalia), and Mombasa (Kenya). It was developed with the support of regional partners, including Hormuud Telecom Somalia, Somtel International, and Telkom Kenya.