Will Paratus expansion redefine East Africa’s connectivity?

Paratus Group, the pan-African telecommunications and network services provider, has finalised its expansion into East Africa, strengthening its mission to deliver secure and scalable digital infrastructure across sub-Equatorial Africa

Since November 2024, Paratus Kenya has operated as a licensed ISP and authorised Starlink reseller. This was followed by launches in Rwanda and Uganda, where Rwanda also offers Starlink services. Tanzania joined in 2025, extending ISP coverage to enterprise and wholesale customers. Through these four markets, Paratus is supporting industries such as education, retail, health, transport, tourism, and logistics, ensuring both communities and businesses benefit from reliable connectivity.

At the heart of this expansion lies the Paratus East–West fibre route. This terrestrial backbone stretches from Maputo to Swakopmund, where it connects with the Equiano subsea cable, providing high-capacity, low-latency redundancy between Africa and Europe.

East Africa, home to over 200 million people and generating more than US$200bn in GDP, is increasingly seen as one of the continent’s fastest-growing markets. Euromonitor projects its share of Africa’s GDP will climb from 18% to 29% by 2040. Growth will be driven by foreign investment, policy reforms, and demand across agriculture, energy, mining, ICT, manufacturing, and healthcare—further accelerated by a large youth population and rapid digital adoption.

“We now hold operational licenses in key East African markets,” commented Martin Cox, chief commercial officer at Paratus Group. “Our network and infrastructure enable enterprise and wholesale customers to access reliable, cross-border connectivity within the region and beyond, supporting their digital operations and growth.”

Through solutions such as dedicated internet, cloud, managed services, and cybersecurity, Paratus provides the digital foundation for East Africa’s emerging economy.

“You can’t trade if you can’t connect,” Cox continued. “We’re providing the infrastructure and delivering 24/7 connectivity across borders to enable businesses to thrive in the digital age. Our role in building East Africa’s digital highways is as vital today as the traditional trade routes were centuries ago. Trade is in the DNA of the region, and the key to unlocking it now lies in the region’s digital transformation and capabilities.”

He adds, “We’re not just expanding the Paratus footprint we are also enabling East Africa to reclaim its role as a key global trade gateway by providing secure, world-class digital infrastructure that connects businesses, markets and people. The same geographic advantages that made cities like Mombasa important centuries ago are just as relevant today except now they need to be enhanced by world-class digital infrastructure.”

By advancing this regional footprint, Paratus Group consolidates its reputation as Africa’s Quality Network, providing the backbone for a digital-first, interconnected continent.