Tanzania and Kenya inaugurate terrestrial fiber optic link
July 21st 2025
Partnerships between states play a key role in strengthening internet access in Africa. By pooling their digital infrastructure, the two countries aim to improve connectivity, reduce costs, and support the development of essential digital services for their populations.
On Thursday, July 18, Tanzania and Kenya inaugurated a terrestrial fiber optic interconnection linking Dar es Salaam to Mombasa via the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border. The project, jointly led by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and the ICT Authority of Kenya, aims to strengthen internet access through reliable and secure cross-border infrastructure.
“We are reviewing our service delivery policies between the two countries to ensure that citizens benefit from high-quality and affordable communication services,” said Jerry Silaa, Tanzanian Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology.
This link connects the Tanzanian National Telecommunications Backbone (NICTBB) to the Kenyan submarine cables landing in Mombasa, strengthening the synergy between the two countries’ digital infrastructures. Kenya, where nearly half of the population (48%) is connected to the internet, or approximately 27.4 million people, benefits from a robust submarine infrastructure in Mombasa.
Tanzania, which already covers 109 of its 139 targeted districts with its national broadband network, is thus taking advantage of this interconnection to overcome its dependence on foreign underwater infrastructure and improve its international access to the Internet.
This initiative is part of a regional context marked by the desire of East African states to harmonize their digital infrastructures to accelerate economic and social integration. The new interconnection should thus make it possible to consolidate and optimize exchanges between the two networks, strengthening the resilience and capacity of regional infrastructures.
Beyond simple connectivity, this link is expected to foster the development of essential digital services, boost cross-border e-commerce, and pave the way for greater digital inclusion. It also represents a strategic lever for the security of data exchanges and for attracting investment in information technology.
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