The European Union has committed €37 million ($42.8 million) to support the expansion of the Blue-Raman subsea cable system, aiming to improve internet connectivity across East Africa. The project will connect Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, and Somalia to a high-capacity international fiber network designed to strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance access to faster and more reliable internet services in the region.
The Blue-Raman cable system, originally announced by Google in 2021, spans approximately 12,700 kilometers and is intended to link Europe and India through the Middle East, with a landing point along Africa’s east coast. The system is being developed with multiple segments and is designed under an open-access model to support broader connectivity and competition in telecom services.
The new funding will add to existing subsea cable infrastructure already serving East Africa, where countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, and Somalia are connected to multiple international cables. The expansion is expected to significantly increase bandwidth capacity and reduce the cost of internet services, which remains high compared to global affordability standards.
