Total Project Cost
Investment Required
Stakeholders
Countries
Project Overview
Description
Construction of optical fiber cable across Lake Tanganyika connecting Kigoma in Tanzania to Kalemie in DRC to extend Tanzania National ICT Broadband Backbone. Tanzania side under construction with cross-border coordination challenges.
Additionally, this project extends Tanzania’s National ICT Backbone (NICTBB) across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, DRC. It enhances EAC and ECCAS digital infrastructure integration and facilitates direct fiber-optic communication between the two countries. It is aligned with Agenda 2063 goals for digital corridors and resilient regional connectivity.
Objectives
Project Objectives: Connect DRC to Tanzania backbone, Enable cross-lake digital connection, Improve regional connectivity, Support economic integration, Enhance service delivery, Reduce digital divide, Foster regional cooperation, Enable digital transformation
Strategic Importance
Strategic for cross-lake digital infrastructure development despite coordination challenges
Technical Specifications
Technology & Design
Submarine optical fiber cable system across Lake Tanganyika
Capacity & Size
Specifications: 200 km submarine OFC, Lake depth consideration: 1,470m, Modern transmission systems
Technical Details
Technical Features: Submarine cable design, Lake bed routing, Landing stations, Network equipment
Additionally, the 186 km under-lake optical fiber is based on G652D standard with OTN/DWDM overlay and deployed over lake depths reaching up to 1,470 meters.
Development, Implementation & Financial Details
Development Timeline
Tanzania side under construction, Cross-border coordination challenges affecting DRC side progress, Desk study initiated
Latest Implementation Updates
UPDATED- 2025-04-09: Implementation officially announced by Tanzania Prime Minister’s Office for the Kigoma–Kalemie submarine fiber extension. [Source](https://thechanzo.com/2025/04/09/tanzania-to-connect-dr-congo-to-its-fiber-optic-through-lake-tanganyika)
- 2025-03-06: BCS Group completed a 400 km related submarine cable segment in Lake Tanganyika, enhancing regional reach. [Source](https://techtrendske.co.ke/2025/03/06/bcs-group-lake-tanganyika-submarine-cable)
2025-04-09 — Africa Bandwidth Maps citing Tanzania Parliamentary Hansard: government initiates steps to implement ~186 km lake-bed cable from Kigoma (TZ) to Kalemie (DRC) on Lake Tanganyika. [https://www.africabandwidthmaps.com/?p=7425]
2025-05-05 — Africa Bandwidth Maps: BCS completes 400 km Lake Tanganyika submarine segment connecting Uvira ↔ Kalemie, improving readiness for TZ–DRC interconnection. [https://www.africabandwidthmaps.com/?p=7423]
Financing Structure
Investment structure to be determined following completion of technical studies
Project Timeline
Development Timeline
Tanzania side under construction, Cross-border coordination challenges affecting DRC side progress, Desk study initiated
Project Status History
Status 2020
Project Definition
Status 2022
Project Definition
Status 2024
Pre-Feasibility
Additional Project Details
Construction Timeline
Tanzania side construction phase, DRC side planning phase
Legal & Financial Advisors
Not Available
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Tanzania side construction ongoing with coordination challenges on DRC side
Market Demand
Lake region communities and businesses, cross-border trade
Key Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
Government of Tanzania
Key Parties
Government of Tanzania, Government of DRC
Investors
To be determined following resolution of coordination challenges
Contractors & Operators
Not Available
Risk Assessment
General Risk Assessment
Significant cross-border coordination challenges, Lake environment technical challenges, Implementation complexity, Maintenance requirements
Regulatory Risks
Bilateral agreements required with ongoing coordination challenges
Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact
Lake environment impact assessment needed with special considerations
Social Impact
Benefits lake region communities when coordination challenges resolved
Investment Opportunities
Private Sector Opportunities
Investment opportunities in submarine cable infrastructure pending coordination resolution
Next Steps & Agreements
Next Steps
Resolve cross-border coordination challenges, Complete desk study, Conduct route survey, Develop system design
Offtake Agreements
Not Available
Contact Information
Not Available
