By Business Insider Reporter
Djibouti Telecom has unveiled plans to extend its Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE1) subsea cable from Kenya down to South Africa, a move expected to transform internet connectivity and business growth in Tanzania and across the region.
The $multi-million project will add a new 3,200–3,500 km stretch from Mombasa to Mtunzini in South Africa, with multiple landing stations along the route.
Tanzania is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries, with two new landing points in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, placing the country at the centre of a high-capacity digital corridor linking East and Southern Africa.
DARE1, operational since 2021, currently connects Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya with a total capacity of 36 Tbps across three fibre pairs.
The new extension, expected to go live in 2028, will add massive bandwidth, reduce latency, and provide resilient alternative routes for data traffic.
For Tanzania, the project could be a game-changer. Improved subsea connectivity is set to drive down wholesale internet costs, expand cloud and data centre services, and improve the reliability of digital platforms critical for financial services, e-commerce, logistics, and healthcare.
Businesses reliant on high-speed data – from fintech start-ups in Dar es Salaam to gas and oil projects near Mtwara – stand to gain significantly.
“The arrival of DARE1 will not just improve bandwidth; it will reshape Tanzania’s digital economy,” said a telecoms analyst in Dar es Salaam. “Cheaper and more reliable connectivity means stronger competitiveness for local businesses, and it will help attract global players in technology and outsourcing.”
The initiative also aligns with Tanzania’s ambitions to position itself as a regional digital hub under the government’s Digital Tanzania Programme.
Faster and more affordable internet access is expected to boost innovation ecosystems, create jobs, and expand digital inclusion, especially for SMEs seeking to trade across borders.
Djibouti Telecom confirmed that the extension will also provide branches to Mozambique and Madagascar, creating a new east-coast network that strengthens Africa’s role in global internet traffic flows. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, with commercial launch scheduled for 2028.
