Paratus Botswana is leading the way with a revolutionary digital infrastructure project that is set to transform connectivity across Southern Africa. The SADC Highway, a cutting-edge fiber route, will establish a crucial digital pathway connecting Gaborone, Livingstone, and key regions in Zimbabwe.
The project is focusing on the first phase, a 500-kilometer segment from Gaborone to Plumtree, with an anticipated completion date of February 2025. This initiative is part of Paratus Group’s Southern Continental Agenda, which aims to address telecommunications challenges in the region.
The fiber route represents a significant technological advancement, with the potential to provide up to 11 terabits of new network capacity. It offers various strategic benefits, including improved rural network coverage and reduced operational costs for smaller telecommunications providers.
Shawn Bruwer, the Country Managing Director of Paratus Botswana, highlighted the project’s significance. This new route will be the company’s fourth fiber connection, complementing existing paths into South Africa and Namibia. Several operators have already shown interest in securing capacity along this digital corridor.
By connecting to the Equiano subsea cable, the SADC Highway is expected to boost regional economic growth and enhance digital connectivity. The project will offer critical redundancy for existing connections, resulting in lower latency compared to traditional communication routes.
Paratus’ vision extends beyond this project, as the company operates in seven African countries and has international points of presence in the UK, Europe, and the United States. Recent milestones include launching the fastest “fiber express route” from Johannesburg to Europe and establishing partnerships with companies like Starlink for satellite internet services.
The completion of a metro fiber ring around Gaborone in June 2023 and a multi-year deal with OneWeb to build a satellite gateway in Luanda demonstrate Paratus’ commitment to local infrastructure development and regional connectivity expansion.
The SADC Highway project represents more than just a telecommunications investment—it symbolizes a crucial step towards digital inclusion, economic diversification, and technological empowerment for Southern African communities. By breaking down digital barriers and creating new communication pathways, Paratus is helping to reshape the region’s technological landscape.
In a world where digital connectivity is increasingly essential for economic and social development, initiatives like the SADC Highway showcase the transformative potential of strategic infrastructure investments.
