Internet

Zimbabwe launches high-capacity cross-border fibre corridor with Paratus. (Image source: Paratus)

Powertel Communications and Paratus Zimbabwe have activated the first operational segment of their cross-border fibre infrastructure project, marking a significant step towards establishing a high-capacity digital corridor linking Zimbabwe with Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and the wider Paratus network across Southern Africa

The live section, stretching between Plumtree and Bulawayo, represents the first phase of a broader initiative launched under the public-private partnership (PPP) signed by the two companies in June 2025. The agreement combines Powertel's nationwide fibre backbone with Paratus' regional network, technical expertise and infrastructure development experience to expand long-distance connectivity across Zimbabwe.

As the first Paratus-connected fibre route into Zimbabwe, the newly commissioned link enhances regional interconnection while strengthening cross-border communications. The project is designed to improve digital inclusion, increase network resilience and support long-term economic development by integrating Zimbabwe into the wider Southern African telecommunications ecosystem.

Built using advanced Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology, the route is capable of supporting more than 10Tbps of capacity. It is currently operational with an equipped capacity of 800Gbps, providing immediate bandwidth while allowing for future expansion as demand increases. The second phase, extending from Bulawayo to Livingstone, is scheduled to go live in September 2026, completing the strategic three-country corridor.

Managing Director of Powertel Communications, Willard Nyagwande says the achievement demonstrates the impact of strong collaboration in delivering national and regional connectivity goals.

"This is a defining moment for Powertel as the project is planned, built, owned and operated by Powertel, as the licensed national carrier under POTRAZ and the telecommunications arm of ZESA. The IRU with our partner Paratus is the commercial vehicle that this project's success rides on; that allows us to lead this corridor with the financial backing of a renowned and reputable continental partner, whilst retaining the operational primacy over the asset, the regulator-facing relationship, and accountability to ZESA and the people of Zimbabwe. This IRU converts a national infrastructure ambition into a bankable, investable, replicable commercial reality. It aligns the incentives of both parties over the full economic life of the asset. That is precisely why this model is significant. It is the structure that has made the Plumtree–Victoria Falls corridor financeable today, and it is the same structure that will carry the Bulawayo–Livingstone, and the wider Botswana–Zimbabwe–Zambia digital spine, tomorrow!"

Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus Group, Martin Cox says the first live deployment delivers on the vision announced when the partnership was formed."When we announced the PPP and this project last year, we set out a clear vision to create the first high-capacity digital corridor linking Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Today, we are delighted that the first phase is live, carrying traffic and already delivering real, measurable progress towards that vision.

This is about far more than fiber infrastructure. It is about building the digital foundations that enable economic growth, regional integration and improved access to world-class connectivity. By integrating Zimbabwe into the Paratus network – Africa's quality network – we are extending the reach of our contiguous network from South Africa through Botswana and Zimbabwe into Zambia, creating resilient connectivity for businesses, service providers and communities across the region.

This is just the first of many routes that Paratus plans to develop as we continue expanding Africa's quality network."

Speaking during the launch, Head of Cluster: Energy and Trading, Tinashe Yafele, described the completion of the first phase as an important milestone in Zimbabwe's digital transformation programme.

"With an equipped capacity of 800Gbps, this project stands as a significant landmark in Zimbabwe's digital transformation journey. This project is more than the just the deployment of fiber optic infrastructure. It represents a strategic investment in Zimbabwe's digital economy, regional integration and long-term economic development. The project directly supports the aspirations of Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy and Zimbabwe's Digital Economy Strategy by strengthening the digital infrastructure required for modern commerce, education, healthcare, e-government, financial services and industrial development. It also positions Zimbabwe as a strategic regional telecommunications gateway connecting Southern Africa."

He further encouraged both companies to maintain momentum on the remaining phases of the project.

"Your unified focus remains a powerful testament that sets the pace for shared vision and operational excellence."

Construction of the next phase, which will extend the network from Bulawayo to Livingstone, is progressing and is expected to be completed during the next quarter. Once operational, the expanded corridor will provide additional network resilience, improve regional connectivity and create new opportunities for trade, innovation and digital participation across Southern Africa.

The companies say the project also demonstrates how the long-term IRU model can support investment in strategic telecommunications infrastructure, creating a scalable framework for future cross-border digital connectivity across the region.

Ericsson maps Africa’s digital future. (Image source: Ericsson)

Global 5G mobile subscriptions surpassed three billion during the first quarter of 2026, with Sub-Saharan Africa witnessing rapid progress in its shift from legacy networks to advanced connectivity

According to the June 2026 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report, the region is expected to record the fastest 5G subscription growth globally, increasing from around 30 million in 2025 to approximately 370 million by 2031.

Total mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to reach 1.31 billion by 2031, rising from 1.05 billion in 2025. During this period, 2G and 3G networks are projected to decline significantly as 4G and 5G become the dominant technologies. LTE (4G) subscriptions are expected to increase from 490 million in 2025 to 610 million by 2031, representing 46% of total subscriptions. Meanwhile, 5G is forecast to account for 28% of mobile subscriptions by the end of 2031.

Mobile data usage across the region is also expanding rapidly. Average monthly mobile data consumption per active smartphone is projected to rise from 5.3 GB in 2025 to 12 GB in 2031. Total mobile data traffic is expected to increase from 2.8 EB per month in 2025 to 9.7 EB per month by 2031.

Majda Lahlou Kassi, vice-president and head of Ericsson West and Southern Africa, commented, “The acceleration of 4G and 5G is a defining opportunity for Africa to leapfrog into the AI era. By transitioning away from legacy networks, we are building the foundation for a vibrant, inclusive digital economy. With the right collaborative investments in spectrum and policy frameworks, Africa is positioned to fully participate in, and benefit from, the AI boom.”

Alain Maupin, vice-president and head of Ericsson East and North Africa at Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, added, “As digital transformation scales across the continent, the rise of AI and uplink-heavy applications, such as XR and autonomous devices, will fundamentally change traffic patterns. We are committed to delivering the high-performing, programmable networks needed to meet these new demands and support Africa's innovators and enterprises.”

Beyond mobile connectivity, service providers across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly expanding their offerings. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is becoming a key priority for connecting consumers and enterprises, offering significant long-term potential to address the region’s growing need for reliable broadband access.

Reflecting global trends highlighted in the June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report, uplink traffic is growing faster than downlink traffic among many service providers. Current drivers include smartphone communication and collaboration applications, user-generated content sharing and cloud storage, reflecting changing network requirements across Africa. The report also highlights the growing industry focus on 6G standardisation.

The June 2026 Ericsson Mobility Report also includes insights into differentiated connectivity services offered by global providers, increasing uplink demand in AI-powered mobile networks, and the role of mobile connectivity in AI-driven enterprise transformation. Additional articles explore AI-enabled XR evolution with Qualcomm and network slicing advancements with SoftBank during the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

Seacom’s new Nairobi-Kampala route strengthens regional connectivity with higher capacity, resilience and scalable digital infrastructure. (Image source: Seacom)

Seacom has launched a new high-capacity terrestrial network route linking Nairobi and Kampala, enhancing one of East Africa’s most important digital corridors

The new infrastructure is designed to improve connectivity reliability, increase capacity, and support the region’s growing demand for high-performance internet services.

The route connects major infrastructure hubs in Nairobi, Kisumu and Kampala, creating a more resilient pathway for data traffic moving inland from subsea cable landing stations in Mombasa. It transforms an established connectivity corridor into a modern, high-capacity backbone built to support East Africa’s expanding digital economy.

“We’re strengthening a route that already plays a central role in regional connectivity,” commented David Kariuki, chief technology officer at Seacom.

“We are ensuring that this segment is served by a high-capacity, carrier-grade network that can support the scale and performance today’s digital economy requires.”

Built for a rapidly growing digital economy

The Nairobi–Kampala corridor supports a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, cloud platforms and digital commerce. With these industries experiencing continued growth, demand for reliable, low-latency connectivity is increasing across the region.

The upgraded route improves access to international bandwidth while enabling faster and more dependable data exchange between markets.

“The biggest impact will be felt across the broader internet economy,” Kariuki stated. “From service providers and banks to cloud operators and e-commerce platforms, organisations depend on stable connectivity to operate and grow. This investment directly improves their ability to deliver services.”

The infrastructure also strengthens regional connectivity beyond Kenya and Uganda, providing a more efficient route into neighbouring markets including Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, supporting cross-border digital services and regional trade.

Greater resilience and service availability

Network reliability was a key consideration in developing the new route, particularly due to historical challenges affecting connectivity along this corridor.

Seacom has deployed Automated Switched Optical Network (ASON) technology, enabling traffic to be automatically rerouted within under 50 milliseconds during network faults. This helps maintain service continuity even during multiple disruptions.

“Service availability has been a major consideration,” Kariuki explained. “By managing and controlling more of the route ourselves, and adding automated switching, we can maintain uptime even when there are breaks along the network.”

The route provides latency of approximately 7 milliseconds to Nairobi and 13 milliseconds to Mombasa, supporting real-time applications such as financial transactions, cloud workloads and enterprise services.

Alongside the traditional A104 corridor, Seacom will utilise an alternative route through Narok, Kericho and Kisumu. This dual-path strategy reduces reliance on a single connection and improves overall network resilience.

The use of two border crossings, Malaba and Busia, further enhances reliability by reducing single points of failure and improving stability for customers operating across borders.

Scalable infrastructure for long-term growth

The Nairobi–Kampala route has been designed to accommodate future digital demand. At launch, the network provides 1Tbps of capacity, with scalability up to 30Tbps as requirements increase. This enables Seacom to expand capacity without significant infrastructure redesigns.

“Demand for data in East Africa is accelerating,” commented Kariuki. “We’ve designed this network to scale alongside that growth, so clients can increase capacity as their needs evolve.”

Based on DWDM technology, the route supports multiple high-capacity interfaces, including 1GE, 10GE, 100GE and 400GE, providing flexible connectivity options for enterprises, service providers and hyperscale customers.

Strengthening Seacom’s regional network strategy

The new route forms part of Seacom’s wider investment in East Africa’s digital infrastructure.

“This is a continuation of the work we’ve been doing to strengthen our network across the region,” Kariuki said. “We upgraded our IP network in Uganda last year, and this route builds on that foundation by improving both capacity and quality across a key corridor.”

As digital services continue expanding across East Africa, the Nairobi–Kampala route provides a stronger foundation for connectivity, supporting economic development and enabling the region’s next phase of digital growth.