Meta Platforms & Safaricom PLC’s “Daraja Cable”: Kenya Gets a Digital Bridge to Oman

In a major step toward strengthening Kenya’s international connectivity, Meta has selected Safaricom as the landing partner for a new high-capacity subsea cable linking Kenya directly to Oman.

The new cable, called Daraja (Swahili for bridge), will span 4,108 kilometers across the Indian Ocean and is set to become operational in 2026. The project, funded by Meta’s Irish subsidiary, Edge Network Services Limited, represents a $23 million investment in Kenya’s digital infrastructure — and a bold move to diversify East Africa’s internet routes away from fragile chokepoints like the Red Sea.

A Bridge for a More Resilient Internet

For years, East Africa’s connectivity has depended on a handful of undersea cables that snake through politically sensitive and geographically vulnerable areas. When those cables were damaged earlier this year — near the Red Sea and South Africa — millions of users across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania experienced slowdowns and outages.

That fragility is exactly what the Daraja cable aims to fix. By providing a direct Kenya–Oman route, the system introduces a much-needed layer of redundancy. It’s designed with 24 fiber pairs, a much higher capacity than most systems currently serving the region, ensuring faster speeds and lower latency for businesses and consumers alike.

In many ways, this is more than just a cable. It’s infrastructure for economic independence — a way for African countries to own more of their digital future.

Safaricom’s Big Leap into Global Infrastructure

For Safaricom, this is a historic milestone. The company is marking its 25th anniversary by taking its first step into direct submarine cable ownership — moving beyond leasing bandwidth to becoming an infrastructure player.

“This deal is a significant strategic milestone for us,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom. “It signals our readiness to transition into a fully-fledged tech company in line with our Vision 2030 strategy.”

That shift is critical. As Safaricom expands into cloud services, e-commerce, fintech, and digital enterprise solutions, having control over a fast, reliable international network becomes non-negotiable. The Daraja cable gives Safaricom exactly that — a backbone for the future.

Follow us on social media

Meta’s Long Game in Africa

For Meta, the investment continues a clear trend. After co-leading the massive 2Africa cable project, the company is doubling down on Africa’s internet growth story.

Meta’s strategy is simple but far-reaching: build the digital highways that make its platforms — from WhatsApp and Instagram to future metaverse technologies — more accessible, faster, and cheaper to use. By improving Africa’s internet reliability, Meta ensures its ecosystem thrives in one of the world’s fastest-growing online markets.

What It Means for Kenya’s Digital Economy

Beyond the technical jargon, the impact of this project will be deeply felt by Kenyan startups, creators, and businesses.

Faster, more stable connectivity is the foundation of everything from cloud computing and AI development to digital content creation, e-commerce, and fintech innovation. With Daraja in place, Kenya will not just be connected — it will be strategically positioned as a regional digital hub, serving landlocked neighbours like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

It’s a clear sign that Kenya’s digital future won’t depend on luck or geography — but on deliberate investment and collaboration.

The Bigger Picture

The name Daraja couldn’t be more fitting. This cable isn’t just a bridge between Kenya and Oman — it’s a bridge between what Africa’s internet once was, and what it’s becoming: resilient, homegrown, and globally connected.

As we’ve seen with the disruptions of 2024 and 2025, Africa’s internet can’t rely on legacy routes anymore. The Daraja project is proof that local telcos like Safaricom and global tech giants like Meta can work together to build infrastructure that empowers Africa to compete at a global scale.

If the 2Africa cable was about scale, Daraja is about sovereignty — ensuring that Kenya controls more of its connectivity destiny.

And for a country building the next generation of startups, creators, and innovators, that control means everything.