Paratus Botswana has launched its P70 million investment in the 840km Botswana Kalahari Fibre (BKF), which stretches from Mamuno at the Botswana-Namibia border to Lobatse. This is Paratus Botswana's largest investment to date, completing the final segment of the Paratus-built Trans Kalahari Fiber (TKF) route, which runs from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Swakopmund, Namibia.
During the launch event in Gaborone on Wednesday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr. Cecil Masiga, highlighted the significance of this milestone in enhancing Botswana's connectivity and technological progress. In today's fast-paced world, reliable and high-speed Internet connectivity is not a luxury but a necessity, he stated. It is the backbone of modern economies, a vital tool for business, and an essential service for our communities.
Mr. Masiga emphasized that connecting to the state-of-the-art 144-terabit Google Equiano sub-sea cable, laid by Paratus Group in Swakopmund last year, showcased the ambition and foresight behind this initiative. The investment, featuring advanced technology and robust infrastructure, ensures faster, more reliable connections, diversified network routes, and enhanced redundancy.
For Botswana, this project represents not only technological advancement but also a catalyst for economic growth, social inclusion, and national development. Mr. Masiga noted that such services are crucial for business operations and community connectivity, driving productivity and fostering a more inclusive economy.
Mr. Shawn Bruwer, Managing Director of Paratus Botswana, stated that completing this fiber route is another integral step in their commitment to providing top-quality network services and fulfilling Paratus Group's vision to transform Africa through exceptional digital infrastructure and customer service. The new route offers the lowest latency primary transit path through Botswana and Namibia to Europe and connects Botswana and neighboring countries to various international sub-sea cables and the rest of the world.
According to an economic impact assessment by Africa Practice and Genesis Analytics, commissioned by Google, the Equiano cable is expected to more than double Internet speeds and increase Internet penetration by 7.5 percent in the next three years, acting as a catalyst for significant growth, job creation, and sustainability in Namibia and the broader region.
Mr. Bruwer highlighted that the Botswana Kalahari Fiber Route is part of Paratus Botswana's ongoing investment in network infrastructure to meet the country's growing demand for telecommunication services.
