Meta, through its Irish subsidiary Edge Network Services Ltd, has signed an agreement with Safaricom to deploy a new submarine cable system connecting Oman and Kenya.
The initiative aims to boost data capacity, reduce latency, and strengthen internet reliability across East Africa.
Strategic Infrastructure for Digital Growth
The project is being developed by Edge Network Services, Meta’s global infrastructure arm, and will be fully funded by Meta. Safaricom will act as the landing partner in Kenya, managing local operations and overseeing infrastructure within the country’s territorial waters.
“This deal marks a major milestone as we celebrate 25 years,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom. “It aligns with our Vision 2030 strategy and accelerates our transformation into a fully-fledged tech company. High-capacity, low-latency connectivity is critical for powering cloud adoption, economic growth, and digital innovation.”
Backbone Connectivity for Africa’s Tech Future
While Safaricom is widely known for consumer-facing services like M-PESA and mobile data, this partnership shifts focus to the backbone of connectivity, the infrastructure that powers streaming, AI tools, cloud platforms, and remote work.
The Daraja Cable, a 4,108-kilometre subsea system, will feature 24 fibre pairs, more than double the industry standard. This will deliver unprecedented bandwidth and cost efficiency, positioning Kenya to compete with emerging players like Starlink and Airtel.
Meta’s Expanding Footprint in Africa
Meta is also a key player in 2Africa and Pearls, two of the world’s largest subsea fibre-optic cable networks. These systems aim to connect Africa more directly to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, reinforcing Meta’s commitment to expanding global connectivity.
Safaricom’s $23 million (KSh 2.98 billion) investment in the Daraja Cable is backed by an Environmental Impact Assessment filed with Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“This investment secures long-term control of high-speed infrastructure for Kenya,” Ndegwa added. “It supports our growth in 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband, and strengthens our role in shaping Kenya’s digital future.”
