South Sudan Announces 2,400km Fiber-Optic Network to Strengthen Digital Infrastructure

South Sudan is gearing up to commence construction of a 2,400-kilometre fiber-optic cable that will stretch from the Indian Ocean port, through Kenya, and into South Sudan. The move is part of a broader drive to strengthen the country’s digital backbone and reduce reliance on expensive satellite connectivity.

The announcement was made by Telecommunications Under-Secretary Engineer Thomas Gatkuoth, during a panel discussion on digital governance in Lusaka, Zambia. Gatkuoth stated that South Sudan is pushing to accelerate digital infrastructure development, attract investment, and foster regional cooperation through improved policy frameworks. He also extended a call to investors to explore opportunities in South Sudan’s energy, power, and ICT sectors.

The cable project is expected to facilitate faster internet speeds, lower connectivity costs, and greater reliability, thereby enabling hospitals, schools, businesses, and governments across the country to digitize more effectively. South Sudan’s Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, in collaboration with the World Bank, had earlier announced plans to begin laying a cross-border cable from Kenya in early 2026, undertaking feasibility and environmental studies before commencing construction.

Also during the summit, subsequent panels are scheduled to address partnerships & investment, as well as cybersecurity, data protection, and digital inclusion, topics seen as critical enablers in the region’s push toward inclusive digital transformation.