The European Union has committed €37 million ($42.8 million) to extend Google’s Blue-Raman undersea cable into East Africa, a move expected to improve internet connectivity, reduce bandwidth costs and strengthen the region’s position in the global digital economy.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced the funding following talks with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen in Brussels, saying the cable extension will connect Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti to a major digital corridor linking Europe, the Middle East and India.
The funding forms part of a broader package of €139 million in digital investments secured during the visit.
The project is the latest sign of growing European and technology-sector investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure as governments seek to expand internet access, support digital trade and meet rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence services.
East Africa joins a major digital highway
