Liquid Launches First Terrestrial-Only Cable Linking Kenya and South Africa

Liquid Dataport, a business under the pan-African technology group Cassava Technologies, has announced the successful launch of the first terrestrial data superhighway fibre connecting Mombasa, Kenya, to Johannesburg, South Africa. This groundbreaking infrastructure development includes a unique fibre link spanning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Goma to Kananga, providing extra redundancy and resilience for landlocked countries. The new data superhighway offers improved connectivity to numerous data centers and cloud resources, as well as serving as an alternative route during subsea cable outages.

Cassava Technologies, a firm committed to achieving digital inclusion across Africa, has heralded the milestone achieved by Liquid Dataport as a significant step toward a digitally connected future for the continent. Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies, stated, “This route will not only bring increased access to high-speed connectivity but will also improve lives and enable businesses to create and sustain millions of jobs.”

The exponential demand for connectivity across Africa is a direct consequence of the widespread adoption of digital technologies by enterprises throughout the continent. As a result, service providers and international carriers such as Liquid Dataport face an urgent need to cater to this growing demand. The newly established data route linking South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC demonstrates Liquid Dataport’s commitment to significantly enhancing access to digital services for all Africans.

David Eurin, CEO of Liquid Dataport, commented on the launch, stating, “This is the first terrestrial-only cable connecting Mombasa to Johannesburg via the DRC. It is the result of our substantial fibre infrastructure investments in several countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. With this new route, we can provide our existing and future customers with access to an intelligent network boasting increased resilience and low latency. It not only offers redundancy but was also designed to provide additional capacity to landlocked countries on the route, granting them direct access to cloud resources within Africa and beyond.”

The new data superhighway facilitates direct connectivity to data centers in Johannesburg and Nairobi for hyperscalers, enterprises, and wholesale carriers. Liquid’s investments in the Equiano sea cable, significant capacity on the PEACE and 2Africa undersea fibre cables, and its extensive terrestrial cross-border fibre broadband network ensure that customers benefit from low-cost international capacity landing on both Kenyan and South African shores, wherever it is needed on the continent.

Liquid Dataport’s pioneering infrastructure development signifies a major step forward in bridging the digital divide in Africa. By providing enhanced connectivity and access to cloud resources, the data superhighway will drive economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements across the region. As Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, initiatives like this play a crucial role in fostering innovation, empowering businesses, and improving the lives of millions of people throughout the continent.