Safaricom, Meta Unveil Kenya–Oman Undersea Cable to Power Digital Future

Nairobi, Kenya – Safaricom has taken a bold leap into infrastructure ownership with the launch of its first undersea internet cable, a $23 million venture linking Kenya to Oman. Announced on September 2, the project is co-developed with U.S. tech giant Meta and signals a major shift in how Kenya will access and control global connectivity.

A Break from Dependence

For years, Kenyan operators relied on leasing capacity from regional cables like TEAMS and SEACOM. With its own high-capacity subsea fiber, Safaricom gains direct control over bandwidth supply, pricing, and resilience. CEO Peter Ndegwa says the system will not only lower internet costs but also provide redundancy, reducing the risk of nationwide outages.

Meta’s Expanding African Footprint

Meta’s involvement reflects its wider push to drive down connectivity barriers in Africa. The firm is already a lead investor in the 2Africa cable, a 45,000 km subsea system slated for 2025, and has backed terrestrial networks and data centers across the continent. By joining forces with Safaricom on the Kenya–Oman route, Meta strengthens East Africa’s digital backbone with a faster, more direct corridor for international data traffic.

Regional Impact

Analysts argue the project will entrench Kenya’s position as an ICT hub. More undersea capacity means faster and more reliable internet for businesses, start-ups, and consumers. The cable is also expected to support growth in high-bandwidth sectors such as cloud computing, fintech, and e-commerce, while reducing latency for global traffic.

Strategic Step Forward

With demand for internet surging, the Safaricom–Meta cable is more than infrastructure—it is insurance for Kenya’s digital economy. By diversifying routes and cutting dependence on third parties, the country is building resilience while preparing for the next phase of Africa’s internet revolution.