Tanzania and Kenya just launched a fiber link that could reshape East Africa’s internet 🇹🇿 📡 🇰🇪

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On July 18, 2025, Tanzania and Kenya officially launched a cross-border fiber optic connection linking Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. The joint project marks a major step toward strengthening regional connectivity and building a more integrated digital market across East Africa.

A strategic alliance for better connectivity 🤝

The new fiber link crosses the Lunga Lunga–Horohoro border and connects Tanzania’s national broadband backbone with Kenya’s undersea cable infrastructure. It’s the result of a partnership between Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and Kenya’s ICT Authority. Together, they aim to deliver faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet to citizens in both countries.

For Tanzanian officials, this move is more than just a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic effort to make internet access more widespread across the country and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure. With 109 of its 139 districts already connected to its national network, Tanzania is banking on this cross-border link to boost access to international digital services.

Complementary infrastructure serving local needs 🏗️

Kenya brings to the table a well-established undersea cable hub in Mombasa, positioning it as one of East Africa’s leading digital players. Nearly half of the country’s population — roughly 27 million people — is already online. That robust infrastructure makes Kenya a natural partner in expanding regional digital integration.

On the Tanzanian side, tapping into Kenya’s undersea backbone helps address structural gaps and unlocks new opportunities for deploying essential digital services. The two governments are aiming to ensure widespread access to affordable, high-quality connectivity.

Driving East Africa’s digital integration 🌍

Across East Africa, countries are increasingly aligning their digital infrastructure to support economic integration. This fiber link fits squarely within that vision — laying the foundation for a shared digital space that enables smoother cross-border data flows and supports the mobility of digital services.

The Kenya–Tanzania connection also boosts the region’s network resilience. By interlinking their infrastructure, both countries gain added capacity to maintain service continuity during outages and to better protect data flows against security threats. That’s a crucial advantage in a time of growing concerns over cybersecurity and digital sovereignty.

A new gateway for innovation and inclusion 💡

Beyond infrastructure, this connection sets the stage for new economic opportunities. By making cross-border connections easier and more reliable, it opens the door for expanded e-commerce, streamlined digital transactions, and broader market access — especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

Importantly, the initiative also tackles digital inclusion. By improving access to online services in areas like education, healthcare, government, and digital finance, it helps close the digital divide and brings more people into the connected economy. Over time, this fiber corridor could become a catalyst for innovation, investment, and East Africa’s growing role in the global digital ecosystem.

👉🏾 What’s your take on this new connection? Could it transform the region’s digital future? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 😎