Pan-African telecommunications and network services provider Paratus Group has completed its expansion programme into East Africa, with newly licensed operations established in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

The expansion forms part of the group’s ongoing efforts to connect communities and businesses across sub-Equatorial Africa with reliable digital infrastructure to meet the region’s growing connectivity needs.

“We now hold operational licences in key East African markets. From Kenya’s fintech industry and Tanzania’s industrial corridor to Rwanda’s digital transformation, Paratus is poised to provide what the region requires in terms of secure, high-performance connectivity, advanced data and cloud services,” says Paratus Group chief commercial officer Martin Cox.

“Our network and infrastructure enable enterprise and wholesale customers to access reliable, cross-border connectivity within the region and beyond, supporting their digital operations and growth.”

Paratus Kenya has been operational since November 2024 as a licensed Internet service provider (ISP) and authorised Starlink reseller, while Rwanda and Uganda have recently launched as ISPs, with Rwanda also providing Starlink services.

Tanzania joined the network in 2025, delivering ISP services to enterprise and wholesale customers nationwide.

Across all four countries, Paratus supports key sectors, including retail, transport and logistics, education, health and tourism, ensuring businesses and communities have access to secure and scalable connectivity.

“The Paratus East-West fibre route underpins the group’s East African expansion by creating a terrestrial backbone from Maputo in the East to Swakopmund in the West, where it interconnects with the Equiano subsea cable, ensuring low-latency, high-capacity redundancy between Africa and Europe,” he explains.

According to Paratus, East Africa currently contributes around 18% of Africa’s total gross domestic product (GDP), which is expected to increase to 29% by 2040, driven by services, infrastructure, foreign investment and regional integration.

“The race to build reliable digital infrastructure has never been more critical. In a region with over 200-million people and a combined GDP exceeding $200-billion, the East African region is expected to become a significant emerging market in the next decade,” Cox continues.

“This growth will come from numerous industry sectors that are currently benefiting from policy reforms and foreign investment, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, energy, information and communications technology, healthcare and infrastructure.”

East Africa’s large youth population is also contributing to the growing demand for modern services and products.

Through its suite of solutions, including dedicated Internet access, cloud services, managed networks and cybersecurity, Paratus provides the digital foundation on which East Africa’s economy can grow.

“You cannot trade if you cannot connect. We are providing the infrastructure and delivering 24/7 connectivity across borders to enable businesses to thrive in the digital age,” he comments, noting that the company’s role in building East Africa’s digital highways is as vital today as the traditional trade routes were centuries ago.

“Trade is in the DNA of the region, and the key to unlocking it now lies in the region’s digital transformation and capabilities.”