Juba-Nairobi OFC; South Sudan Fiber Backbone; NBIBI
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Kenyan segment (700 km of 957 km total) complete and operational. June 2025: Kenya and South Sudan signed agreement at the 30th EACO Assembly for a 2,420 km fiber extension into South Sudan under the National Broadband Internet Backbone Initiative (NBIBI), World Bank-supported. August 2025: South Sudan Ministry of ICT announced construction begins early 2026 with full World Bank financial and technical backing. This resolves the core financing barrier that had stalled the South Sudan segment for years.
Description
Construction of a 957 km high-capacity optic fiber cable (OFC) connecting Eldoret (Kenya) to Juba (South Sudan) via the Nadapal border town. The Kenyan segment (approximately 700 km) is complete and operational. The South Sudan segment has faced prolonged delays due to security concerns, institutional capacity constraints, and financing gaps. The project will bring fiber optic broadband to South Sudan for the first time, significantly reducing ICT service costs and connecting the country to global internet routes. Supports South Sudan digital inclusion, e-government, and economic diversification objectives. Aligned with the IGAD and EAC digital corridor agenda.
Capex Cost
45.00USD million
Revenue Model
Infrastructure access and service fees from wholesale bandwidth providers
Project Risk
Significant cross-border coordination challenges between Kenya and South Sudan; Security and institutional capacity constraints in South Sudan; Regulatory alignment requirements; South Sudan segment financing was historically unresolved (now addressed via World Bank NBIBI)
Countries
Kenya, South Sudan
Stakeholders
East African Community
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)