Extension of National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) to DRC by construction of optical fibre cable across Lake Tanganyika and point of presences (PoPs) for providing connectivity with DRC
By Anonymous (not verified), 17 March 2026
PIDA Code
I.02.30.10
Project Status
Active
Project Stage
Transaction Support & Financial Close
Completion Percentage
0
Sector Name
ICT
Subsector Name
Fibre Optic Cable
Alternative Names
NICTBB-DRC; Lake Tanganyika Fiber; Kigoma-Kalemie OFC
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Tanzania side under active construction. April 9, 2025: Tanzania Prime Minister's Office officially announced implementation of the Kigoma-Kalemie submarine fiber extension. March 6, 2025: BCS Group completed a 400 km related submarine cable segment in Lake Tanganyika connecting Uvira to Kalemie (DRC), significantly improving readiness for the Tanzanian interconnection. April 2025: Africa Bandwidth Maps confirmed Tanzania government is initiating steps to implement the 186 km lake-bed cable. DRC side coordination ongoing.
Description
Construction of a submarine optical fiber cable across Lake Tanganyika connecting Kigoma (Tanzania) to Kalemie (DRC), extending the Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) into the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cable is approximately 186 km in length, deployed at lake depths reaching up to 1,470 metres, using G652D standard optical fiber with OTN over DWDM overlay. The project enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the two countries. Tanzania is progressing with its side of the implementation. DRC side faces cross-border coordination challenges.
Capex Cost
4.00USD million
Revenue Model
Service fees and infrastructure access charges from cross-lake connectivity
Project Risk
Significant cross-border coordination challenges with DRC; Lake environment technical challenges at depths up to 1,470 metres; Ongoing cross-border coordination for DRC landing stations; Long-term maintenance requirements for submarine cable; DRC institutional capacity for project co-implementation