Safaricom has received a major boost in its push to become the undisputed market leader in internet connectivity in Kenya and East Africa following a new fibre optic partnership with American tech giant Meta.
Through its Northern Ireland-registered subsidiary, Edge Network Services Ltd, Meta is building a its second high-capacity submarine cable from Oman to Kenya.
The company has chosen Safaricom to be its landing partner in a strategic partnership deal.
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.
~ Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom
Safaricom reckons that the deal puts in in the driving seat to become an Africa’s leading purpose led tech company in a step towards achieving its Vision 2030.
Kenya’s most valuable company is exploring more options to move away from relying on voice, data and its golden egg, MPESA, even as the telco market becomes more competitive.
Coming at a time when Safaricom is celebrating its silver jubilee (25 years since inception), the deal 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.
Safaricom expanded for the first time outside Kenya by launching into Ethiopia, a market that has been closed to ‘outsiders’ for generations. It is yet to make a profit in the landlocked horn of Africa country.
The Under-Sea Cable System that will be fully funded by Edge offers an opportunity to strengthen its position in bandwidth offerings in the country across the borders.
According to the deal, locally licensed operators in Kenya and Oman are contracted to operate the cable segment within territorial waters, as well as all associated in-country infrastructure.
