Tanzania and Kenya Launch Cross-Border Fiber Link at Horohoro to Boost Internet Access via Mombasa Submarine Cables

Tanzania and Kenya have launched a cross-border fiber optic link connecting the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) with Kenya’s fiber network at the Lunga Lunga–Horohoro border to enable Tanzania to receive international internet bandwidth through Kenya’s submarine cable infrastructure in Mombasa.

The link, implemented by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) and Kenya’s ICT Authority, enables the transmission of international capacity from Mombasa into Tanzania over a newly built 130km terrestrial fiber route from Mombasa to Horohoro.

The aim is to diversify Tanzania’s international internet access points, reduce dependency on a single route, improve reliability, and lower wholesale broadband costs.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Horohoro, Mkinga District, in Tanga Region, and was attended by Tanzania’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo.

Silaa said the new link will make internet services more accessible and affordable across the country through enhanced cross-border infrastructure.

He added that the governments of Tanzania and Kenya are reviewing service delivery policies to ensure citizens of both countries benefit from high-quality broadband.

Kabogo described the project as a foundational step toward creating a unified regional digital space that can support trade, logistics, and digital commerce in East Africa.

He noted that enhanced fiber connectivity between the two countries supports digital sovereignty and regional economic integration under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Kenya ICT Authority Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti confirmed that Kenya has offered Tanzania discounted fiber leasing rates to make the bandwidth more affordable.

She emphasized the project’s alignment with Kenya’s Digital Transformation Agenda and the potential to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas.

The new connection integrates the NICTBB with Kenya’s domestic fiber grid, making it possible to route international traffic through Mombasa directly into Tanzania.

Until now, Tanzania primarily received international internet capacity via submarine cables landing in Dar es Salaam, such as SEACOM and EASSy.

While these routes remain active, the new link offers an alternative route through Kenya, providing redundancy and access to additional cable systems like TEAMS and PEACE that do not land in Tanzania.

The NICTBB, owned by the Government of Tanzania and operated by TTCL, distributes internet connectivity across the country and interconnects with neighboring countries including Zambia, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda.

As of July 2025, 109 out of 131 districts in Tanzania are connected to the NICTBB, which continues to expand coverage to support digital service delivery and socio-economic development.