Pan-African network operator Paratus Group is expanding its East African footprint through a new cross-border fibre network and newly introduced satellite internet capabilities, according to Uganda Standard. The company plans to present its regional expansion at the ITW Africa conference in Nairobi this month. Central to the operation is the 2,000-kilometre Goma-to-Mombasa terrestrial fibre link, which is expected to provide Ugandan businesses with a new cross-border connectivity option alongside Starlink satellite services.

Seacom has announced the launch of a new land-based fibre route that connects Nairobi, Kenya, to Kampala, Uganda, with a passage through Kisumu. This upgrade is expected to enhance the internet infrastructure across East Africa, significantly improving the capacity for internet traffic in the region.

According to CIO Africa, the ITW Africa 2026 event reflected a shift in Africa's digital infrastructure conversation, moving beyond simply expanding connectivity toward building infrastructure and creating a supportive investment environment. The publication reports that stakeholders at the conference discussed how the continent's digital development priorities are evolving, with greater attention now placed on the broader foundations needed to sustain growth in the sector.

Paratus Kenya has partnered with Starlink to roll out satellite internet services in remote and underserved counties in Kenya, including Murang'a County. According to Tuko, the initiative aims to improve connectivity for communities that previously lacked reliable internet access, with the enhanced connectivity expected to support telemedicine services and improve ambulance response operations in the region. The partnership reflects broader efforts to expand digital infrastructure across rural Kenya.

Kenya's rural areas continue to face internet gaps affecting students, patients and citizens who must travel long distances for online services. Satellite internet could change this by reaching areas where traditional towers and cables have not. According to Taifa Leo, Paratus Kenya, in partnership with Starlink, is working to extend connectivity to underserved regions, potentially transforming access to education, healthcare and essential digital services for rural communities.

Kenya is seeking to establish itself as a leading digital infrastructure and investment hub in Africa, with the government prioritising fibre connectivity, data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to attract global investment and accelerate economic growth. According to the Kenya News Agency, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke said digital infrastructure had become critical national infrastructure, comparable to roads and water, underscoring its importance to the country's development agenda.