Kenya, 4 November 2025 - When Safaricom PLC and Meta Platforms Inc. announced their partnership on a new submarine fibre-optic cable linking Kenya and Oman, the move wasn’t just about faster internet. It signalled Kenya’s ambition to be a regional tech hub, anchored in infrastructure, economy, and connectivity. The so-called “Daraja” cable system, stretching about 4,108 kilometres and comprising 24 fibre-pairs, will connect Salalah in Oman to Mombasa in Kenya and is slated for service in 2026.
The Kenyan segment will be managed by Safaricom, while the entire project is fully funded by Meta’s subsidiary, Edge Network Services Limited. “This deal is a significant strategic milestone for us … It positions us to meet the surging demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity, which is critical for powering economic growth, cloud adoption, and digital innovation,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.
What’s Happening
Safaricom’s role has shifted from being primarily a mobile network operator to a major infrastructure player. Under the deal, it becomes “landing partner” for the cable, owning and operating the in-country components that connect to global networks.
For Meta, the partnership aligns with its global strategy to build resilient, large-scale subsea infrastructure, part of its “Waterworth” and 2Africa initiatives. The Kenya-Oman corridor adds fresh capacity and bypasses crowded routes like the Red Sea corridor.
The projected impact is clear: more bandwidth, lower latency, better reliability, and a digital backbone that supports cloud computing, 5G, data centres and regional e-commerce. It also supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 ambition of becoming an African tech hub.
Why This Matters
Connectivity is no longer a luxury, in Kenya, it’s a foundation for business, education, healthcare and innovation. With rapid data growth, cloud adoption and mobile-first enterprises, the reliability of internet infrastructure becomes a key economic enabler.
This deal empowers Kenyan businesses to access global markets with fewer interruptions. It strengthens digital inclusion: remote communities, entrepreneurs and startups will benefit from improved capacity. And it positions Kenya for the next phase of digital economy growth, where infrastructure matters just as much as apps or services.
Moreover, when a leading telco like Safaricom secures stakeholder status in a major international cable, it signals investor confidence, which in turn attracts further investment, both domestic and international. That cycle can accelerate Kenya’s technology ecosystem.
What’s Next
Execution will be key. Over the next twelve months we’ll watch whether the cable is laid on schedule, whether pricing and access terms are favourable, and whether Kenyan businesses begin to feel the difference in speed, cost and reliability. Safaricom will need to integrate the asset into its broader strategy: data centres, digital services, enterprise solutions, cross-border connectivity.
Meta will likely use the route to support its African platforms, AI infrastructure and regional cloud services. For Kenya, success means not just one more cable but a deeper shift: owning and controlling critical digital infrastructure, leveraging it for business growth, and helping East Africa become a digital gateway to the continent.
