Tanzania unveils Kilimanjaro one submarine cable system to connect Mauritius.

CAPE TOWN: Tanzania is taking a major step toward becoming East Africa’s leading digital hub with the launch of the Kilimanjaro One Submarine Cable System (KO-SCS), a 1,900-kilometer undersea cable that will link Dar es Salaam to Mauritius, with additional branches to Unguja and Mafia Islands, and potential expansion to Madagascar.

Announced by CPA Moremi Marwa, Director General of the TTCL Corporation, during his address at the World Broadband Association Forum in Cape Town, South Africa. He said that the project is designed to deliver high-capacity, geographically diverse connectivity that will enhance Tanzania’s resilience and competitiveness in the global digital economy.

“The KO-SCS will establish Tanzania as East Africa’s true digital gateway,” Marwa told delegates. “It will not only expand regional data routes but also strengthen our capacity to support high-speed broadband, AI infrastructure, and cross-border trade.”

The new system builds on Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), a 14,000-kilometer terrestrial fiber network connecting all districts and regions within the country, as well as neighbouring nations across the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).

With 11 international submarine cable connections already terminating through Dar es Salaam and Mombasa — including SEACOM, EASSy, 2Africa, and others — the addition of KO-SCS is expected to boost redundancy, reduce latency, and increase overall bandwidth capacity for millions of users and enterprises.

Connectivity reaches even Mount Kilimanjaro’s 5,895-meter summit, where tourists and guides enjoy seamless Internet access.

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The KO-SCS is part of a broader series of high-impact digital initiatives outlined by Marwa, including a Pan-African Green AI and Robotics Data Centre, a smart device manufacturing facility, and a “Connectivity for All” program offering free public Wi-Fi in universities, markets, and hospitals.

It also aligns with the government’s Vision 2050 and National Digital Economy Strategy, which aim to make Tanzania a regional hub for ICT, e-commerce, and innovation.

“Our ambition is clear, we want to position Tanzania at the centre of Africa’s digital transformation — a nation that connects people, ideas, and opportunities across the continent and beyond.” CPA Marwa said.

The Kilimanjaro One Submarine Cable System is expected to commence construction in 2026, with completion targeted for late 2027. Once operational, it will significantly expand Tanzania’s international bandwidth, create new investment opportunities, and help drive the continent’s digital leap forward.