Tanzania tender document approved — construction preparations underway. July 2025: Tanzania Minister confirmed the country is now digitally linked to six neighbours including Mozambique. The Kenya-Tanzania cross-border terrestrial fiber link launched July 18, 2025 at Lunga Lunga/Horohoro further strengthens the regional connectivity architecture this project contributes to.
Description
Extension of the Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) southward to connect with Mozambique, enabling access to the EASS and SEACOM submarine cables landed in both countries and creating resilience in international connectivity. The project uses Single Mode Optical Fiber type G652D with OTN over DWDM transmission technology. It also encompasses the extension of the NICTBB westward across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie in DRC (see I.02.30.10 for the separate DRC component). Tanzania has approved the tender document and construction preparations are advancing. Total project investment estimated at USD 60 million.
Capex Cost
4.00USD million
Revenue Model
Infrastructure access fees and international connectivity services to carriers
Project Risk
Cross-border implementation and regulatory coordination between Tanzania and Mozambique; Environmental considerations along coastal and inland routes; Long-term operations and maintenance arrangements
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
Extension of Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone to connect with Mozambique, enabling access to submarine cables landed in both countries and creating resilience in international connectivity. Tanzania has approved tender document with steady progress.
Additionally, this project extends Tanzania's National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, DRC. It enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the tw
Description
Extension of Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone to connect with Mozambique, enabling access to submarine cables landed in both countries and creating resilience in international connectivity. Tanzania has approved tender document with steady progress.
Additionally, this project extends Tanzania's National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, DRC. It enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the two countries. It is aligned with Agenda 2063 goals for digital corridors and resilient regional connectivity.
Capex Cost
4.00USD million
Revenue Model
Infrastructure access fees and connectivity services
Construction of optical fiber cable across Lake Tanganyika connecting Kigoma in Tanzania to Kalemie in DRC to extend Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone. Tanzania side under construction with cross-border coordination challenges.
Additionally, this project extends Tanzania's National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, DRC. It enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the two countries. It is alig
Description
Construction of optical fiber cable across Lake Tanganyika connecting Kigoma in Tanzania to Kalemie in DRC to extend Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone. Tanzania side under construction with cross-border coordination challenges.
Additionally, this project extends Tanzania's National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, DRC. It enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the two countries. It is aligned with Agenda 2063 goals for digital corridors and resilient regional connectivity.
Capex Cost
4.00USD million
Revenue Model
Service fees and infrastructure access charges from cross-lake connectivity