NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has officially activated the China Mobile 2Africa East Segment Submarine Cable, a high-capacity fibre-optic system connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia in what is being hailed as a landmark moment for the continent’s digital transformation.
The launch ceremony, themed “Connect. Innovate. Ignite. Empowering Africa’s Digital Future Together,” was officiated in Nairobi by Hon. William Kabogo, who described the activation as a key milestone in advancing Kenya’s global digital footprint.
“This project will accelerate cross-border connectivity, boost international linkages, and propel Kenya’s position in the global digital market,” Kabogo said during the event.
The 2Africa cable system — backed by China Mobile International — is one of the world’s largest subsea fibre-optic networks, spanning 33 countries and boasting a design capacity of up to 180 terabytes per second (Tbps).
Alongside the activation, China Mobile’s AI+ Cloud Network Convergence Industry Solution was officially launched, signaling deeper technological collaboration between Kenya and China in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.
The 2Africa project complements Kenya’s Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy Pillar, one of the government’s flagship initiatives under Vision 2030. The pillar aims to:
- Roll out 100,000 km of national fibre-optic cable,
- Establish 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots,
- Build ICT hubs in all 1,450 wards, and
- Expand access to online government services nationwide.
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui accompanied Kabogo at the ceremony, which also drew top Chinese officials, including Li Huidi, Vice President of China Mobile; Guo Haiyan, the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya; Yan Jiang, General Manager of China Mobile’s Network Department; and Lin Erwei, CEO of China Mobile International.
Kabogo lauded the partnership, emphasizing that Kenya remains committed to providing a conducive investment environment for global technology firms.
“The Government of Kenya appreciates this key project by China Mobile. We are keen to attract and retain digital infrastructure investors who can power our knowledge economy,” he said.
The activation positions Kenya as a key data and connectivity hub in East Africa, linking regional economies to the global digital ecosystem and supporting innovation across sectors such as fintech, cloud services, and creative industries.
