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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.

The mobile telecommunications sector across the African continent is currently undergoing a profound transition.

According to the Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report, published by the GSMA, the industry has entered a highly anticipated phase of development. Operators are now shifting their strategic focus following a decade defined by the extensive expansion of physical network coverage. The primary objective is no longer merely connecting populations, but unlocking substantially greater economic value through advanced digital networks. This fundamental evolution is expected to drive continuous growth, technological innovation, and digital transformation across the region.

The economic impact of this digital foundation is already immense. The GSMA report indicates that Africa’s mobile industry contributed a staggering US$240bn to the continent's economy in 2025, a figure equivalent to 7.8% of total GDP. Also, the ecosystem actively supported approximately thirteen million jobs whilst simultaneously generating US$45bn in essential public revenues. By the year 2030, mobile technologies and services are projected to contribute a record US$290bn to the African economy.

Telecommunications operators are evolving far beyond their traditional roles to achieve these ambitious targets,. According to GSMA Intelligence research, 79% of operators in Africa now identify becoming a digital transformation partner as a primary enterprise objective. This critical transition involves deploying artificial intelligence, expanding consumer digital services, and opening core network capabilities directly to developers through standardised APIs.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed to optimise network performance and support novel digital services. But, a significant localisation challenge persists. Africa is home to more than 30% of the world's spoken languages, yet prominent AI models remain predominantly trained on English. To rectify this imbalance, industry stakeholders are championing initiatives such as the GSMA's “AI language models in Africa, by Africa, for Africa” programme. Concurrently, momentum is growing behind the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This framework enables operators to provide standardised network APIs to developers, facilitating new services whilst supporting fraud prevention, identity verification, and digital trust across the financial and e-commerce sectors.

Addressing this critical turning point for the industry, Vivek Badrinath, director general of the GSMA, outlined the strategic imperatives required to maintain this momentum.

He stated, "Africa's mobile industry is entering a new phase of development. Having connected millions of people and businesses over the last decade, the focus is increasingly shifting towards unlocking greater value through AI, digital services and new forms of innovation."

Highlighting the collaborative effort required from stakeholders, Badrinath continued: "Realising this opportunity will require continued investment, policies that encourage innovation, and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can benefit from the opportunities digital technologies create."

He further stressed the inherent responsibility of the wider technology ecosystem, adding: "We also call on the broader technology supply chain – including those who manufacture the components that make devices possible – to reflect on how their own success is tied to a connected world, and to join us in closing the usage gap and making that world more accessible and affordable for all."

The core challenge has decisively shifted from expanding network coverage to ensuring citizens and businesses fully utilise the connectivity already in place. While networks now cover the vast majority of the population, a glaring usage gap remains. Approximately 63 per cent of Africans live within broadband coverage but are not using the mobile internet. By stark comparison, only 9 per cent remain entirely outside mobile broadband coverage zones.

Affordability remains the single largest barrier to mobile internet adoption, heavily compounded by digital skills gaps and complex social barriers. To support the next phase of digital growth, the GSMA is calling for structural policy reforms that encourage private investment and dramatically improve affordability. Regulatory certainty, spectrum availability, and investment incentives will heavily influence future infrastructure deployment. Operators across Africa are expected to invest over US$76bn in vital network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030, a period during which 5G adoption is forecasted to reach 21% of all mobile connections. Ultimately, the GSMA notes that reducing systemic taxes on devices and digital services can rapidly accelerate adoption and expand equitable access to the modern digital economy.

Starlink has received official approval to commence operations in Uganda after signing a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licensing agreement with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) at State House in Entebbe on 15 May 2026

The agreement represents a significant development in Uganda’s efforts to improve internet accessibility and accelerate national digital transformation initiatives.

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni attended the signing ceremony and acknowledged Starlink’s commitment to operating within Uganda’s legal and regulatory requirements. “Our interest is security, revenue assurance, and proper accountability within the telecommunications sector so that we know who is operating and who the customers are,” president Museveni said.

He further expressed satisfaction with the company’s readiness to meet Uganda’s operational conditions ahead of launching services in the country.

Following the signing, the Uganda Communications Commission issued the necessary operational certification required for Starlink’s deployment within the country. Under the licensing terms, the company must establish a national gateway, maintain a physical presence in Uganda and operate a local office staffed with technical and legal personnel.

The rollout is expected to enhance internet access across the country, particularly in rural and underserved regions where connectivity challenges remain significant.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ryan Goodnight described the agreement as an important development for both Uganda and Starlink.

“It is a great honor to be here in this beautiful country. We are incredibly excited that we are forging this cooperation and bringing this network here,” he said.

He added that Starlink intends to support wider digital participation by reducing internet costs and expanding access to reliable connectivity services.

Goodnight also announced plans for the company to support sectors including healthcare and education through the donation of internet connectivity devices to selected facilities across Uganda.

Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance welcomed the partnership, noting that it could strengthen innovation, improve digital inclusion and create new opportunities across sectors such as business, education, healthcare and communications.

The introduction of Starlink services is expected to play a key role in Uganda’s broader digital transformation agenda by expanding connectivity access nationwide.

International Power Control Systems (IPCS) has been named as a distribution partner in Malawi by Vertiv, a specialist in critical digital infrastructure

The new agreement marks a major step in expanding Vertiv’s reach in the Malawian market, leveraging IPCS’s established experience in power control and alternative energy solutions.

“This collaboration will enhance IPCS’s product portfolio, reinforcing our position as a trusted leader in the Malawian market,” said Rumbidzai Bere, business development and marketing director at IPCS.

“The combination of IPCS’s experience in power control and renewable energy and Vertiv’s innovative solutions, such as lithium-ion compatible UPS systems and IT infrastructure products, will bring a new layer of reliability and efficiency to organisations in Malawi, enabling them to equip their critical infrastructure with the resilient, scalable infrastructure needed to support them over time.”

The agreement includes the distribution of Vertiv's comprehensive critical digital infrastructure portfolio, including single-phase and three-phase AC power solutions, surge protection, integrated racks and cabinets and IT infrastructure management solutions, to support the growing demands for computing and AI infrastructure in the region.

The Malawi government’s National Compact for Energy sets out the country’s vision and commitment to increasing access to electricity and alternative energy by 2030, with the aim of providing electricity to 70% of the population.

“Our collaboration with IPCS is a step toward reinforcing Vertiv’s local footprint and a strategic move to align with a well-established, respected partner,” said Gary Chomse, Vertiv’s regional director for central and southern Africa.

“This is proof of our presence, commitment and investment in the Malawian power control, data centre infrastructure, and alternative energy sectors.

“Through this partnership, Vertiv and IPCS are committed to contributing to Malawi’s technological evolution, providing businesses with the power and infrastructure solutions needed to support the country’s digital future.”

IPCS, a wholly Malawian-owned company, has built its reputation as a leader in power solutions since its foundation in 1998.

With a strong track record in supplying, installing and maintaining critical power infrastructure, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), data centre solutions, automatic voltage regulators, surge protectors, and alternative energy systems, IPCS is well-positioned to supply, install, and support Vertiv solutions in Malawi.

“This means that, as digital transformation accelerates and electrification efforts continue, there is immense potential for growth in the IT and power sectors,” added Bere.

“With Malawi’s youthful population, 80% of whom are under the age of 35, we also believe that the rise in IT skills, the use of AI and cybersecurity advancements will further drive demand for sophisticated data centre solutions.” 

Integrity360, continuing its global growth strategy and dedication to Africa, has acquired Redshift, a respected Johannesburg-based cybersecurity services firm. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed

This move follows Integrity360’s earlier regional investments, including the 2024 and early 2025 acquisitions of the Grove Group and Nclose.

The acquisition expands Integrity360’s South African presence to a team of over 230 employees serving clients across the continent. Its Johannesburg and Cape Town operations also function as key hubs for the group’s integrated global Security Operations Centre (SOC), delivering a full suite of managed services, including EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), XDR (Extended Detection and Response), and MDR (Managed Detection and Response) solutions to both local and international clients.

Founded in 2015, Redshift has earned a strong reputation for excellence in cybersecurity testing and other specialized services, such as cybercrime investigations, anti-fraud advisory, scammer group takedowns, cyber intelligence, and managed services. Redshift adds approximately 50 customers, including leading South African finance, banking, and telecommunications organisations, and around 40 additional employees to the Integrity360 group.

Redshift will serve as a regional centre of excellence for cybersecurity testing and integrate closely with Integrity360’s existing advisory and managed services teams. Integrity360 plans to invest in expanding the business by leveraging the group’s extensive resources.

Redshift clients will gain access to Integrity360’s comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio, encompassing cyber risk and assurance, 24/7 incident response and forensics, infrastructure and technology services, PCI compliance, operational technology consulting, and a full range of managed services, including Managed SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), Managed CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management), and advanced XDR/MDR solutions. Integrity360 has been recognised five times in Gartner market guides, most recently for Incident Response and Forensic services.

Ian Brown, executive chairman at Integrity360, said, “We are very excited to be welcoming Sean, Cailan and the entire Redshift team to Integrity360. The reputation and expertise they have developed since their formation in 2015 is highly impressive and we are looking forward to helping them provide an enhanced set of services to their customers and expanding further in the African market over the coming years.”

Sean Howell and Cailan Sacks, directors of Redshift, added, “This is a significant moment for us, and we could not be more delighted that Redshift is joining Integrity360 and continuing the growth and development of the business that was initially started by Sean a decade ago. Thanks to the support of our customers and employees, Redshift has grown enormously during that time, and having spent considerable time with Ian, and the wider Integrity360 leadership team, we are confident will continue to do so being part of the Integrity360 group. We are excited about the future for us as an organisation, for our people and in particular for what the enhanced group can provide our customers moving forward.”