Why Kenya’s AI Ambitions Depend on New Internet Infrastructure
A planned $2 billion subsea cable linking Africa directly to Asia could provide the high-capacity connectivity needed to support Kenya’s growing AI ambitions.
Kenya’s artificial intelligence ambitions will depend not only on technology and skills, but also on the internet infrastructure that carries data.
A planned $2 billion (Sh258 billion) subsea cable could help address this need. The project will link Africa directly to Asia through a new route across the Indian Ocean.
Seacom, the Mauritius-headquartered company behind Africa’s first private subsea fibre-optic cable, is planning the project. The company launched that cable in 2009 and expects to complete the new one in 2030.
For Kenya, the project carries particular significance. Mombasa serves as a major landing point for East Africa’s internet traffic. Therefore, the capacity reaching the Kenyan coast will influence the region’s ability to support growing digital demands.
AI Is Increasing Demand for Connectivity
Speaking on BBC Africa Enterprise, Seacom Chief Technology Officer Prenesh Padayachee said the Indian Ocean basin has relatively limited subsea connectivity.
He described the region as “fairly devoid of connectivity and very little subsea cables in that area” compared with routes between Europe and North America.
However, the demand for data is changing as businesses adopt artificial intelligence.
Padayachee said AI will require much higher connectivity speeds than typical home internet services provide today. He explained that some applications could require tens or hundreds of gigabits of capacity.
“What you are going to find is that AI will drive high speed connectivity in a very elastic way,” Padayachee told host Nancy Kacungira.
“So, not what we typically have in a home today, but now you’re looking at 10s or hundreds of gigabits of capacity. If you look at the cables that exist today, that technology won’t run on those older cables. So, we’re building a newer cable with newer technology that allows us to have high speed connectivity.”
The project reflects a wider shift in the global internet infrastructure market. Hyperscalers such as Google and Meta are also investing in their own subsea cables.
According to Padayachee, this approach allows the companies to reduce connectivity costs. Seacom has followed a similar model since its launch in 2009.
Kenya’s AI Strategy Needs Stronger Infrastructure
Demand for connectivity is already growing in Kenya. Banks and technology startups are deploying machine learning applications, adding pressure to the networks that carry their data.
At the same time, the country is working to establish a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence.
A Senate committee has rejected the Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, arguing that its penalties and regulatory reach could stifle local startups.
With the Bill stalled, infrastructure remains an important part of delivering the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030. The five-year plan seeks to position Kenya as a leader in AI innovation in Africa.
For businesses, the development of AI-ready networks will affect the cost, speed and reliability of internet services. In turn, these factors will influence how easily companies can adopt and scale AI applications.
Cybersecurity Risks Grow Alongside Connectivity
However, greater connectivity also brings security concerns.
As banks, telecommunications companies and government agencies digitize their services, more sensitive data moves across networks and borders. Consequently, the risk of cyberattacks becomes an important consideration.
The Communications Authority of Kenya reported that distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks rose by 114.3% to 72.16 million in the year to June 2026.
Meanwhile, Kenya inaugurated the board of its new National Cybersecurity Agency on 2 November. The agency has a mandate to protect critical information infrastructure.
Subsea cable operators also face cybersecurity threats. Padayachee said Seacom is exploring post-quantum cryptography as part of its efforts to stay ahead of emerging risks.
“So, we’re using quantum physics, or we’ll start to use quantum physics, to encrypt data,” he said.
“Cyber criminals will continue to be there and all of these threat actors will continue to be there. It’s about being one step ahead of them.”
A New Route for Africa’s Digital Future
The planned cable is expected to be completed in 2030. Until then, Kenya will continue to rely on existing networks as businesses and institutions expand their use of AI.
Padayachee hopes the project will help change how African countries view internet connectivity.
“I think it’ll go part of the way to unleash the African continent,” he said.
“For many, many years I said connectivity should be considered as an essential service, similar to electricity and water. If you start to look at it like that, you’ll then start to understand that this has become the lifeline for many things people can’t do.”
The project highlights a key issue for Kenya’s AI ambitions. Developing new applications and attracting investment will matter. However, the country will also need reliable, high-capacity networks to support the data demands of an increasingly AI-driven economy.
