An agreement has been reached on a new fiber optic cable line connecting Kenya’s Nairobi region with the city of Juba in South Sudan.
The fiber optic cable is expected to be a total of 2,420 kilometers in length.
The decision to extend the cable was made during the 30th General Meeting of the East African Communications Organisation (EACO).
The project is also supported by the International Development Association (IDA) and the World Bank (WB).
South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication, Technology, and Postal Services, Michael Makuei, described the agreement as a strategic step for future generations.
He stated that the effective use of fiber optic cables could revolutionize sectors such as education, governance, commerce, and healthcare.
It is estimated that internet usage across the country is around 7%, and a large portion of the population lacks access to connectivity.
This initiative is expected to provide a significant solution to this problem.