LIQUID Dataport, a division of pan-African technology group Liquid Intelligent Technologies, has unveiled its latest fibre route connecting Mombasa, Kenya, to Muanda on the west coast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). This groundbreaking 3,800km route establishes the shortest connection between East and West Africa, reducing data transmission latency by 20 milliseconds. The new route expands Liquid’s One Africa Digital Network, extending its coverage to 110,000 km.
The fibre route traverses Uganda and Rwanda, providing reliable and affordable broadband connectivity to more than 40 million individuals residing and working in major cities along the path. This significant development complements Liquid’s previous achievement in 2019, connecting Dar Es Salaam to Muanda via Zambia, solidifying Liquid’s commitment to advancing East-West connectivity on the continent.
Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, emphasised the importance of bridging the access-usage gap in Africa. He said, ‘This East-West route, which complements our existing Pan Africa fibre network, is significant because it is helping to solve that problem – it not only brings global traffic to the continent but also improves the cost economics of Africa’s broadband Internet access.’
The new route enables Liquid’s customers to leverage capacities ranging from 1Mbps to 100,000Mbps. It ensures cloud supplier redundancy by granting access to multiple data centers and cable landing stations, guaranteeing maximum uptime. This capability proves beneficial for numerous businesses across East, Central, and Southern Africa that are embarking on their digital transformation journeys.
David Eurin, Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Dataport, expressed support for their customers operating global networks along the route. He highlighted the economic and social advantages brought about by the availability of the latest and shortest East-West route, including access to online educational resources, job creation, and the adoption of new technologies.
The Mombasa-Muanda route serves as an alternative for global organisations seeking internet resiliency, bypassing congested routes in the Red Sea and Europe. Additionally, it provides faster fibre connectivity to landlocked countries in Africa, enhancing the appeal of growing connectivity hubs in Kenya and the DRC.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, operates across 25 African countries, establishing itself as a leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure. With its extensive fibre broadband network spanning 110,000 km and satellite connectivity, Liquid offers high-speed internet access throughout the continent. The company also delivers cloud and cybersecurity solutions through strategic partnerships and offers customized digital solutions to public and private enterprises and SMEs across Africa.