By Business Insider Reporter
Kenya and Tanzania have inaugurated a strategic cross-border terrestrial fibre optic link connecting Mombasa and Dar es Salaam – an infrastructure milestone expected to unlock wide-ranging economic and business benefits for both countries and deepen digital integration across East Africa.
The newly launched Dar-es-Salaam to Mombasa fibre link, officially activated at the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border point, physically connects Kenya’s National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) with Tanzania’s national fibre infrastructure.
The project, a joint initiative between Kenya’s ICT Authority and Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL), is designed to promote affordable internet access, enable cross-border digital trade, and catalyse economic transformation in line with Agenda 2063 and Kenya’s Digital Transformation Strategy.
Economic impact on Tanzania
For Tanzania, the cross-border connection represents a critical step forward in its digital and economic development agenda.
By tapping into Kenya’s high-capacity fibre infrastructure – offered at discounted leasing rates – Tanzania gains a cost-effective channel for broadband expansion, especially to underserved regions.
This has the potential to lower internet costs for consumers and businesses alike, and enhance the operational efficiency of sectors such as banking, logistics, healthcare, and education.
Importantly, the move supports the government’s goal of building a digitally inclusive economy and advancing access to digital services for small businesses and rural entrepreneurs.
As more SMEs and start-ups get online, the country is expected to see a rise in digital financial services, e-commerce, and innovation hubs beyond urban centres.
Moreover, the improved connectivity is likely to accelerate Tanzania’s transition into a regional hub for data-driven services, creating jobs in ICT, customer support, and digital content creation.
The initiative complements broader public and private investments in digital infrastructure, including submarine cable landing stations and national data centres.
Business opportunities for Kenya
For Kenya, the fibre link enhances its leadership in East Africa’s digital economy by reinforcing its role as a regional data corridor and service exporter.
By offering wholesale broadband services to Tanzania, Kenyan telcos and infrastructure firms gain new revenue streams and cross-border partnership opportunities.
ICT Authority acting CEO, Zilpher Owiti, noted that the 130km of high-capacity fibre deployed from Mombasa to Horohoro not only supports regional integration but also expands the market reach for Kenyan-based digital platforms, fintech providers, and e-learning solutions.
The country’s thriving startup ecosystem now has improved access to Tanzanian users and businesses, paving the way for shared innovation and service co-creation across the border.
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, emphasised that the infrastructure will empower youth, SMEs, and start-ups, fostering digital entrepreneurship and ICT-enabled exports – an area where Kenya has seen consistent growth in recent years.
Boost to cross-border trade, integration
Beyond ICT, the fibre link is poised to benefit trade logistics, customs harmonisation, and supply chain digitisation between the two economies.
Digital platforms for cargo tracking, e-customs declarations, and payments will become more efficient and reliable with stronger cross-border connectivity.
Traders – particularly informal and small-scale businesses – stand to gain from reduced transaction costs and easier market access through digital channels.
Hon. William Kabogo, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, described the project as foundational to achieving a “One Network Area” in East Africa – a goal that would see seamless mobile roaming, shared digital identity frameworks, and cross-border digital services emerge as economic drivers.
Step toward a digitally sovereign
The launch also marks progress toward digital sovereignty in the region, enabling local data to be processed within East Africa and reducing dependency on overseas infrastructure. With cybersecurity, data protection, and regional cloud services becoming more critical to economic competitiveness, the Kenya–Tanzania fibre link lays the groundwork for localised digital resilience.
Looking ahead
As digital economies become central to GDP growth, job creation, and public service delivery, the Kenya–Tanzania cross-border fibre link is more than just a cable – it’s an economic lifeline that promises shared prosperity.
The collaboration sets a precedent for other East African nations to interconnect and build a borderless digital infrastructure that supports intra-African trade, inclusive innovation, and sustainable development. With growing demand for data services, e-governance, and regional fintech integration, both Kenya and Tanzania stand to benefit significantly from this investment – not just in megabytes, but in real economic transformation.
