Djibouti Telecom To Extend DARE1 Subsea Cable To Southern Africa

Djibouti Telecom has announced plans to extend its Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE1) subsea cable system further south along Africa’s east coast. The move is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and support the continent’s fast-growing demand for digital services.

The DARE1 cable, which already connects Djibouti, Somalia, and Kenya, delivers high-capacity, low-latency, and resilient connectivity. By adding new segments, the operator aims to enhance route diversity and open up access to additional markets in Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and South Africa.

All new extensions will interconnect at the Mombasa (Nyali) trunk station in Kenya. The planned route between Mombasa and Durban will stretch an estimated 3,200 to 3,500 kilometers, providing a critical link for carriers and enterprises seeking alternative paths for international traffic.

Construction on the extension is expected to begin in 2026, with a target completion and ready-for-service date in 2028. Once operational, the expanded network will improve resilience across the region’s subsea infrastructure and add capacity to meet the needs of cloud providers, content companies, and enterprises.

Djibouti Telecom described the extension as part of its vision to build a regional African cable system. The initiative is designed to complement existing subsea networks while fostering stronger integration between East and Southern Africa.

By providing scalable bandwidth and reliable access to global internet hubs, the project is expected to accelerate Africa’s digital economy and strengthen the continent’s role in global connectivity.