Pan-African telecommunications provider Paratus Group has officially launched operations in Kenya, marking a major step in its expansion into East Africa and its mission to strengthen connectivity across the continent.
As part of its entry into the Kenyan market, Paratus will serve as an authorised reseller of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite broadband service in both Kenya and Rwanda. The move is expected to extend high-speed internet access to rural and peri-urban areas, which have historically been underserved by traditional infrastructure.
The expansion is anchored by the Paratus East-West fibre route, a terrestrial backbone stretching from Maputo, Mozambique, to Swakopmund, Namibia, where it connects to Google’s Equiano subsea cable.
This network is designed to deliver faster and more reliable connections across sub-Saharan Africa while reducing dependence on expensive international transit routes.
Speaking during the launch, Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer at Paratus, underscored the strategic importance of digital connectivity for trade and development, stating: “You can’t trade if you can’t connect. Our role in building East Africa’s digital highways is as vital today as the traditional trade routes were centuries ago.”
In Kenya, Joseph Kibwott, Managing Director of Paratus Kenya, highlighted the potential economic benefits of improved connectivity.
He noted that stable internet infrastructure supports GDP growth by enabling e-government services, telemedicine, remote work, and real-time security solutions, ultimately empowering communities and boosting local economies.
Paratus has been rapidly expanding its footprint across Africa, having previously launched Namibia’s first private nationwide mobile network. The company says its East African entry will accelerate the region’s digital transformation and close connectivity gaps for businesses and households alike.
