World Bank funding fibre optic connection between Kenya and South Sudan

19 October 2015

During September 2015 agreement was reached with the World Bank to fund a fibre optic cable system between Kenya and South Sudan as a component of the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation project. The overall project is expected to cost in the region of $43 million and be completed by 2019. The fibre optic will be put in place as the road is constructed from Eldoret to Lodwar and Juba.

The Kenyan component of the project is estimated to cost in the region of $25.5 million and is being implemented by the ICT Authority. This is the second phase of the National Fibre Optic Backbone Infrastructure Plan. According to the ICT Authority it will bring Last Mile Fibre Connectivity to County Headquarters from the backbone and support network redundancy. Eldoret, Kakuma, Kitale, Lokichar and Lodwar will benefit from upgraded Internet points. Benefits for county and national government offices are expected to include high speed internet access, community-based cyber cafes, reliable access to Government services as well as youth employment during the construction phases.