Meta, the U.S.-based technology giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has selected Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, as its local landing partner for a new submarine cable system connecting Oman to Kenya. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies and signals a broader shift in East Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape.
A Strategic Leap for Safaricom
The partnership gives Safaricom direct control over international bandwidth capacity for the first time in its history. Previously reliant on leased capacity, Safaricom will now operate the Kenyan landing station and manage the domestic infrastructure associated with the cable. This move aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to transform the company from a traditional telecom operator into a fully integrated technology enterprise.
The cable system, named “Daraja” (Swahili for “bridge”), is a $23 million investment fully funded by Meta’s subsidiary, Edge Network Services. It features a 24-fibre-pair design, offering high-capacity, low-latency connectivity that will enhance the performance and resilience of Meta’s platforms across East Africa.
Meta’s Infrastructure Strategy
For Meta, the Oman–Kenya cable complements its broader infrastructure ambitions, particularly the 2Africa cable—a 45,000-kilometre subsea system designed to encircle the African continent. The 2Africa project, the longest undersea cable in the world, has already landed in several of its planned 32 African locations, including Lagos and Kwa Ibo in Nigeria.
The new Oman–Kenya route offers a strategic alternative to the congested Red Sea corridor, improving network reliability and speed for Meta’s regional operations. It also strengthens digital and trade connectivity between East Africa and the Middle East, reinforcing Kenya’s position as a regional connectivity hub.
Enabling Safaricom’s Next Growth Phase
The cable investment arrives at a critical time for Safaricom. With voice revenue stagnating, the company is increasingly focused on data services and M-PESA, its mobile money platform. In fiscal year 2025, M-PESA and data revenues grew by 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively. The new cable will support Safaricom’s expansion into enterprise services, cloud computing, and local data hosting, providing the bandwidth and reliability needed to serve corporate clients.
Owning infrastructure rather than leasing it gives Safaricom a competitive edge and could further consolidate its 65% market share in Kenya’s mobile sector. The deal may intensify pressure on rivals like Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya, potentially pushing them to explore alternative technologies such as satellite connectivity to remain competitive.
