Paratus and Meta to Build a 900km Open Access Metro Fibre Network in Zambia

Paratus Zambia and Meta have announced an investment towards building a 900km open access metro fibre network in Zambia.

We aim to complete the first 280km by November and activate it by early January.

This is a significant relationship for Paratus not only because of its importance to the Zambian economy, but also because we will be helping to provide millions of people and hundreds of businesses with the opportunity to connect to the internet via a faster and more secure fibre network.

Marius van Vuuren, MD, Paratus Zambia

This intervention is very much aligned with Paratus’ strategy to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and customer service. We have already made significant investments in our Zambian network, such as our fibre link from Lusaka to Chirundu and our own state-of-the-art data centre in Lusaka to house content locally. We are also working on a parallel project to link the metro networks to various towns and cities in Zambia. We are very proud that Meta has recognised this pledge and is supporting us with this investment.

Schalk Erasmus, CEO, Paratus Group

These metro networks are critical to building digital communities and helping businesses evolve, particularly in under-connected communities. Paratus has already built fibre in many parts of Zambia and this relationship will help extend their good work. It’s good news for Zambia.

Nomonde Gongxeka-Seopa, Head of Public Policy, Southern Africa, Meta