New East Africa Fibre Link Connects Dar es Salaam and Mombasa in Push for Cross-Border Connectivity
The new terrestrial fibre route between Dar es Salaam and Mombasa offers a critical backup to subsea cables while deepening digital and trade integration across East Africa.
Tanzania and Kenya have officially switched on a new terrestrial fibre optic link connecting Dar es Salaam and Mombasa—a move set to enhance digital resilience and regional collaboration across East Africa.
While Dar es Salaam already connects to three international subsea cables, this new land-based connection gives Tanzania an added layer of security by tapping into Kenya’s eight cable landing points. It’s a smart way to keep the country online even if undersea systems face disruptions.
“This route ensures Tanzania remains digitally connected even if there’s an issue at our marine landing stations,” said Jerry William Silaa, Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, during Friday’s launch at the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border.
According to Tanzania’s Daily News, Silaa also shared that Tanzania’s fibre network now links six neighboring countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and Mozambique. He hinted at even bigger ambitions—expanding the fibre grid to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy also hailed the new fibre route as a win for the entire region. Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau noted that beyond fast internet, this connection lays the groundwork for smoother cross-border trade, regional e-commerce, and smarter policy coordination.
“It’s not just about infrastructure. We’re creating a shared foundation for secure networks and collaborative regulation,” Kabogo said.
The East Africa fibre link reflects how countries in the region are stepping up investment in digital infrastructure—not just to stay online, but to grow together. With stronger links like this, the region moves closer to becoming a more connected and digitally inclusive economic bloc.
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Great to hear that.