Bayobab Kenya, a subsidiary of the Bayobab Group, the digital infrastructure arm of MTN Group, has completed a significant milestone in Kenya’s telecommunications sector. The company has successfully rolled out a multi-million-shilling long-distance fibre network, linking the coastal city of Mombasa to the border town of Malaba and Busia. This new fibre route marks a crucial step in enhancing connectivity and internet reliability in the region, with far-reaching implications for Kenya and its neighboring countries.
The newly completed fibre network extends up to the Kenyan-Ugandan border, where it seamlessly interconnects into Uganda, facilitating onward connectivity to Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This strategic infrastructure development not only enhances local internet access but also significantly strengthens cross-border connectivity, crucial for regional economic growth and integration.
The fibre route, which runs parallel to Kenya Railway’s metre gauge railway line, spans over 1,000 kilometers on the Kenyan side. This alignment presents a unique opportunity to connect various towns along the route to high-speed internet, providing a critical backbone for internet service providers (ISPs) aiming to expand their coverage in these regions. By leveraging Bayobab Kenya’s open-access long-distance fibre infrastructure, ISPs can deliver efficient and high-capacity internet services, thereby fostering digital inclusion and economic development in previously underserved areas.
Enhancing Network Resilience and Redundancy
Bayobab Kenya’s latest project complements its earlier National Long-Distance (NLD) fibre network, launched in 2022, which runs from Mombasa to Malaba along the Kenya Pipeline route. The addition of the new route enhances the overall resilience and redundancy of Kenya’s internet infrastructure. For carriers and ISPs, this dual-route approach offers a valuable alternative, ensuring network reliability even in the face of potential disruptions. The availability of high-capacity backbones or dark fibre along these routes provides a robust foundation for the continued growth of Kenya’s digital economy.
The Mombasa-to-Malaba Fibre Project is a critical component of Bayobab’s broader strategic vision, known as Ambition 2025. This initiative aims to build 135,000 kilometers of proprietary fibre across Africa, significantly expanding the continent’s digital infrastructure. Bayobab Kenya’s Managing Director, Sylvia Anampiu, emphasized the transformative potential of this project, stating, “Our Mombasa-to-Malaba Fibre Project in Kenya is a testament to our vision for a connected and empowered country and continent. By connecting Mombasa to Malaba, we aim to create a seamless pathway to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and DRC, fostering economic development and growth across these countries.”
Anampiu also highlighted the project’s role in linking landlocked countries to subsea cables at the port of Mombasa via the shortest route available. This strategic connectivity not only supports local and regional internet needs but also provides an essential alternative route that bolsters service protection and strengthens offerings for both existing and new customers of Bayobab Kenya.
A Step Forward for Africa’s Digital Economy
This project is more than just a technical achievement; it represents a significant leap forward in Africa’s digital economy. By ensuring low-latency connectivity inland and across borders between the East and West coasts of Africa, Bayobab Kenya is laying the groundwork for enhanced digital trade, economic growth, and regional integration. The fibre network’s ability to link landlocked nations to the global digital economy via subsea cables is a crucial development, particularly for countries with limited access to such infrastructure.
Founded in 2018, Bayobab is a pan-African digital connectivity solutions provider that leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver reliable and secure communication services across the continent. Through its two primary business lines, Bayobab Fibre and Bayobab Communication Platforms, the company aims to bridge Africa’s digital communications divide. With a focus on high availability, reliability, and encryption, Bayobab ensures that its customers can communicate securely from any corner of the globe.
The completion of the Mombasa-to-Malaba Fibre Project underscores Bayobab Kenya’s commitment to enhancing the telecommunications landscape in Kenya and beyond. By providing a resilient and high-capacity fibre network, the company is playing a pivotal role in driving digital transformation across East Africa, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic development and global competitiveness.
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