Telkom Kenya has announced plans to develop a new submarine fibre optic cable system, marking its sixth undersea network connection to global markets. The project, named Pakistan and East Africa Connecting to Europe (Peace), is spearheaded by Chinese firm Peace Cable International Network, a subsidiary of Chengtong Group.
The cable will establish direct high-speed links between China, Europe, and Africa, with key landing points in France, Pakistan, and Kenya. A second phase aims to extend connectivity to South Africa. Telkom Kenya will serve as the local landing party and project lead for the Kenyan segment.
The company's environmental impact assessment highlighted that the Peace cable will provide the shortest routes between Asia and Europe while interconnecting three of the world's most populous regions. The project is scheduled for completion by 2021, following a series of undersea cable deployments since 2009.
Since the 2009 launch of the East African Marine System and Seacom, Kenya has seen exponential growth in bandwidth, internet speeds, and reduced connectivity costs. Telkom Kenya remains a key shareholder in multiple regional submarine networks, including the Lower Indian Ocean Network, Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System, and Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1.
