Tanzania and Kenya have jointly inaugurated a terrestrial fibre optic interconnection linking Dar es Salaam to Mombasa via the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border—marking a strategic step toward regional digital integration.
The initiative, led by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and Kenya’s ICT Authority, is designed to enhance internet access through secure and resilient cross-border infrastructure. It connects Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) to Kenya’s submarine cable landings in Mombasa, strengthening the interoperability of both countries’ networks.
“We are reviewing our service delivery policies between the two countries to ensure citizens benefit from high-quality and affordable communication services,” said Jerry Silaa, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, at the launch on July 18.
This new link reduces Tanzania’s reliance on foreign submarine infrastructure, expands international internet access, and supports ambitions for regional economic and digital integration. It comes as Kenya, with an internet penetration rate of 48%—representing approximately 27.4 million users—leverages its well-established undersea cable capacity in Mombasa.
The fibre interconnection is also expected to spur cross-border e-commerce, promote digital inclusion, and improve data security across the region. As East African nations move to harmonize their digital infrastructures, this bilateral partnership exemplifies how cooperative frameworks can accelerate the delivery of essential digital services and attract ICT investment.
Source: Agence Ecofin|
