Pan-African telecoms provider Paratus Group has completed its expansion into East Africa as it steps up efforts to connect communities and businesses with fast, reliable internet.

The company, which operates across sub-Equatorial Africa, has rolled out services in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. It is offering internet services, cloud solutions, managed networks and cybersecurity support.

Paratus Kenya has been in operation since November 2024 as a licensed internet service provider and authorised reseller of Starlink.

Rwanda and Uganda have recently joined the network, with Rwanda also providing Starlink services. Tanzania became part of the group in 2025 and is delivering internet services to enterprise and wholesale customers nationwide.

Chief Commercial Officer Martin Cox said the new services will make it easier for businesses and communities to stay connected across borders.

“We now hold operational licenses in key East African markets. 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,” he said.

Cox added that connectivity is essential for modern trade.

“You can’t trade if you can’t connect. We’re providing the infrastructure and delivering 24/7 connectivity across borders to enable businesses to thrive in the digital age. Our 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.”

The company is also looking at the region’s history as a trading hub.

“We’re not just expanding the Paratus footprint. We are also enabling East Africa to reclaim its role as a key global trade gateway by providing secure, world-class digital infrastructure that connects businesses, markets and people. The same geographic advantages that made cities like Mombasa important centuries ago are just as relevant today, except now they need to be enhanced by world-class digital infrastructure,” Cox said.

Paratus says its expansion is backed by the East–West fibre route, which runs from Maputo in Mozambique to Swakopmund in Namibia, where it connects to the Equiano subsea cable.

This creates a digital backbone that links Africa to Europe with low-latency, high-capacity services.

The company’s move comes as East Africa strengthens its position as one of the continent’s fastest-growing regions. Euromonitor projects that the region’s share of Africa’s total GDP will rise from 18 per cent today to 29 per cent by 2040, fueled by investment in infrastructure, technology, and services.

With a population of more than 200 million people and a combined GDP of over 200 billion US dollars, East Africa is expected to become a major emerging market.

Countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania are already seeing strong demand for digital services, driven by industries like fintech, manufacturing, health and education, and by the region’s young population.