Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE 1)

Overview

The Djibouti Africa Regional Express 1 (DARE 1) is a 4,854-kilometer submarine fiber-optic cable system that became operational in April 2021. It connects multiple countries along the eastern coast of Africa, including Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and others, providing high-capacity internet connectivity to a historically underserved region. With a design capacity of 36 Tbps, DARE 1 was the highest-capacity cable in East Africa at the time of its launch. The system was built using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, allowing for scalable upgrades without additional undersea work.

The project, which cost approximately $86 million, was developed by a consortium of four telecommunications operators: Djibouti Telecom, Hormuud Telecom Somalia, Somtel International, and Telkom Kenya. The cable was manufactured and installed by SubCom, a leading American submarine cable company. DARE 1 has significantly improved internet redundancy and capacity in East Africa, particularly in Somalia, which previously relied on a single international submarine cable for connectivity.

DARE 1 is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic asset, enhancing regional digital resilience and economic opportunities. It positions Djibouti as a critical hub in Africa's digital infrastructure and provides Somalia with its first real internet redundancy.

Route and Landings

DARE 1 connects a series of landing points along the eastern African coast, creating a robust network that spans multiple countries. The northern terminus is Djibouti City, Djibouti, a major submarine cable hub that connects Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. From there, the cable extends southward, landing in Bosaso and Mogadishu in Somalia. Bosaso is served by a dedicated 108-kilometer branch with two fiber pairs, while Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, gains its first true redundancy in international connectivity.

The cable continues to Mombasa, Kenya, which serves as the southern terminus of the initial phase. Mombasa is a critical port city and a key node in East Africa's digital infrastructure. In 2025, DARE 1 was extended southward to include additional landing points in Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam, Mtwara), Mozambique (Nacala, Beira, Maputo), Madagascar (Mahajanga, Toliara), and South Africa (Mtunzini). This extension, expected to be operational by 2028, will make DARE 1 a pan-African digital backbone, connecting the Horn of Africa to the southern tip of the continent.

The cable route crosses several significant bodies of water, including the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, and strategically links some of the region's most important economic and population centers. This connectivity is vital for fostering economic growth and improving access to digital services in the region.

Ownership and History

DARE 1 is owned by a consortium of four telecommunications operators: Djibouti Telecom, Hormuud Telecom Somalia, Somtel International, and Telkom Kenya. Djibouti Telecom was the project initiator and lead investor, leveraging its expertise as a major player in Africa's submarine cable industry. Hormuud Telecom, Somalia's largest mobile operator, joined the consortium after construction was completed, highlighting the cable's importance to Somalia's digital economy.

The project was conceived in 2015 as part of Djibouti's Vision 2035, a long-term development strategy aimed at transforming the country into a global digital hub. At the time, Somalia had only one international submarine cable, EASSy, leaving the country vulnerable to connectivity disruptions. DARE 1 was designed to address this vulnerability by providing a redundant, high-capacity link.

Construction began in 2019, with the cable manufactured by SubCom. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited port access and strict health protocols, the installation was completed on schedule. The cable was declared ready for service in April 2021, marking a significant milestone for regional connectivity.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of DARE 1 has provided valuable insights into the cable's performance. The system includes 233 measured corridors, with the best round-trip time (RTT) recorded at 1 millisecond and an average RTT of 97 milliseconds. These metrics indicate a high-performance network capable of supporting latency-sensitive applications such as video conferencing and online gaming.

The cable's design incorporates 41 dual-stage repeaters and three branching units, ensuring reliable signal amplification and efficient traffic distribution across its extensive route. The use of WDM technology allows for scalable capacity upgrades, as demonstrated in August 2021 when Djibouti Telecom doubled the cable's effective capacity through a shore-based hardware and software upgrade.

DARE 1's performance underscores its role as a transformative infrastructure project for East Africa. By providing reliable, high-capacity connectivity, the cable has enhanced digital resilience and economic opportunities in the region. It has also strengthened Djibouti's position as a critical hub in Africa's digital ecosystem, connecting the continent to global networks.