Boost For President Ruto as Nokia, Airtel Ink High-Capacity Fiber Network Deal

Airtel Africa will be working with tech giant Nokia to roll out a high-capacity terrestrial fiber network spanning East and Central Africa under a programme dubbed Airtel Africa Telesonic.

The project will connect several African countries and link submarine cables to onshore terrestrial networks, creating a seamless digital backbone across the continent.

The primary objective of this project is to make high-speed internet more affordable and reliable for Africans, coinciding with regional leaders’ boost for digital jobs among the continent’s youngsters.

Kenya’s President William Ruto, who also doubles as EAC Chairperson, has been a strong advocate for digital jobs as a solution to youth unemployment since he took office in August 2022.

Nokia and Airtel Africa initiative would be a welcome turn for Kenya, as the government keeps investing heavily in digital infrastructure, including the installation of 100,000km of fiber optic cable and the establishment of ICT hubs across the country.

This is intended to provide internet access and training opportunities in rural and urban areas.

To this advantage, Airtel Africa Telesonic will connect the 2Africa subsea cable—one of the world’s largest undersea internet cables—to local terrestrial infrastructure.

This integration is expected to meet the rising demand for data services and wholesale connectivity, while fostering innovation, business growth, and cross-border digital trade.

At the heart of the project is Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) platform, a next-generation optical transport solution capable of supporting up to 38 terabits per second (Tbps).

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This technology, combined with Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine (PSE) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems, will allow for ultra-fast data transfer and greater network efficiency. The infrastructure will stretch across multiple countries, featuring 139 nodes, all designed to enhance speed, scalability, and resilience.

Speaking about the partnership, Razvan Ungureanu, Airtel Africa’s Chief Technology Officer, said the deployment marks a major leap in the company’s mission to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem.

“Deploying Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch platform is a pivotal upgrade to our network infrastructure. It will allow us to deliver greater capacity and high-speed connectivity across the continent, setting the stage for transformative growth and new opportunities,” Ungureanu said.

Echoing this sentiment, PD Sarma, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa Telesonic, said, “Nokia represents a significant milestone in advancing Africa’s digital infrastructure,” Sarma said. “By leveraging Nokia’s cutting-edge fiber-optic solutions, we aim to meet the escalating demand for data, drive economic growth, and empower communities across the continent.”

From Nokia’s perspective, the project is part of its ongoing agenda of supporting Africa’s digital transformation.

Beyond technology, the new network is expected to have a ripple effect on education, healthcare, and business, especially in underserved regions.