Meta through its subsidiary, Edge Network Services Limited has signed up Safaricom as a landing partner to a new high-capacity submarine cable connecting Oman and Kenya.
The project gives Safaricom direct control over international capacity for the first time, while helping Meta secure a faster and more reliable network for its regional operations. It will also improve resilience for Meta platforms and strengthen data movement across East Africa.
The $23 million “Daraja” system, fully funded by Meta’s subsidiary Edge Network Services, features a 24-fibre-pair design.
Safaricom will operate the Kenyan landing site and manage in-country infrastructure. The move positions it as an infrastructure owner rather than a bandwidth lessee, which aligns with its Vision 2030 plan to evolve from a telecom operator to a full-fledged technology company.
For Meta, the Oman–Kenya link complements its 45,000-kilometre 2Africa cable and provides a route that bypasses the congested Red Sea corridor. The 2Africa cable—the world’s longest undersea cable, built primarily for Africa—has already landed in several of its planned 32 African locations and is designed to encircle the continent. It reached Lagos and Kwa Ibo in southeastern Nigeria in November 2023.
“This deal is a significant strategic milestone for us at Safaricom as we mark 25 years and signals our readiness to transition into a fully-fledged tech company in line with our vision 2030 strategy. It positions us to meet the surging demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity which is critical for powering economic growth, cloud adoption, and digital innovation,” said Dr Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.
The strategic partnership reinforces Safaricom’s commitment to deliver faster, more resilient and future-proof connectivity in line with its vision to be Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by 2030. It also positions the company at the forefront of digital transformation, empowering businesses, communities, and consumers with the bandwidth they need to thrive in a connected world.
The Under-Sea Cable System will be fully funded by Edge, with locally licensed operators in Kenya and Oman being contracted to operate the cable segment within territorial waters, as well as all associated in-country infrastructure.