Paratus Expands Digital Highways Across Southern Africa

Paratus Botswana is pioneering a groundbreaking digital infrastructure project that promises to reshape connectivity across Southern Africa. The SADC Highway, a new fiber route, will create a critical digital pathway linking Gaborone, Livingstone, and key regions in Zimbabwe.

The ambitious project focuses on its first section, a 500-kilometer stretch from Gaborone to Plumtree, scheduled for completion by February 2025. This strategic initiative is part of the Paratus Groups Southern Continental Agenda, addressing crucial telecommunications challenges in the region.

The fiber route represents a significant technological advancement, potentially delivering up to 11 terabits of new network capacity. It offers multiple strategic advantages, including improved rural network coverage and reduced operational costs for smaller telecommunications providers.

Shawn Bruwer, Paratus Botswanas Country Managing Director, emphasized the projects importance. The new route will be the companys fourth fiber connection, complementing existing paths into South Africa and Namibia. Multiple operators have already expressed interest in securing capacity along this digital corridor.

By connecting to the Equiano subsea cable, the SADC Highway promises to stimulate regional economic growth and enhance digital connectivity. The project provides critical redundancy for existing connections, offering lower latency compared to traditional communication routes.