Nairobi, October 28, 2025 — Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has joined forces with Kenya’s leading telecom operator Safaricom to deploy a high-capacity submarine internet cable connecting Oman and Kenya, marking a major milestone in Africa’s digital infrastructure expansion.
Through its Irish subsidiary Edge Network Services Limited, Meta has appointed Safaricom as the landing partner for the new cable, designed to enhance internet speed, reliability, and resilience across the region.
Strengthening Kenya’s Digital Backbone
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa hailed the partnership as a landmark achievement coinciding with Safaricom’s 25th anniversary, describing it as part of the company’s transformation “from a telecom provider into a technology powerhouse” aligned with Kenya Vision 2030.
“This project will meet the growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency internet connectivity, supporting economic growth, cloud adoption, and digital innovation,” said Ndegwa.
The $2.9 Billion Daraja Project
The initiative builds on the recently launched Daraja Project, a $2.9 billion (Ksh 379.9 billion) undersea fiber-optic system spanning 4,108 kilometers between Mombasa and Oman. Featuring 24 fiber pairs, the cable will provide unprecedented data capacity and is scheduled to become operational in 2026.
Once completed, the Daraja Project will bolster 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband connectivity, serving as a backbone for Kenya’s growing digital economy and supporting cross-border digital trade and cloud-based industries across East Africa.
Economic and Social Impact
With over 50 million subscribers, Safaricom will leverage the new infrastructure to improve network quality and drive digital inclusion. The company currently contributes around Ksh 1.1 trillion ($8.5 billion) in economic value and supports over 1.13 million jobs in Kenya.
Safaricom’s flagship fintech platform M-PESA, which now serves more than 34 million users, has transformed financial inclusion—rising from 26.7% in 2006 to 83.7% of adults by 2021. The new cable is expected to enhance M-PESA’s performance and enable faster, more secure digital transactions.
Driving East Africa’s Digital Future
The undersea cable will strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional digital hub, fueling cloud computing, digital entrepreneurship, and global connectivity. Meta’s investment underscores its confidence in East Africa’s fast-evolving digital landscape, while Safaricom’s infrastructure leadership continues to power innovation across the continent.
