South Sudan plans to establish a new fiber optic link from Ethiopia to enhance internet access across the country, Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services Minister Michael Makuei Lueth announced Tuesday.
Speaking during a panel at the African Innovation Summit in Addis Ababa, Makuei said the project is part of broader efforts to improve South Sudan’s digital infrastructure, which remains limited despite existing fiber connections from Uganda and Sudan.
“Despite the fiber optic cable from our sisterly country Uganda, it is not sufficient to cover the entire country,” he said. “Currently, only the capital, Juba, enjoys relatively stable internet, while the ten states and three administrative areas remain largely disconnected.”
The Ethiopian link would be South Sudan’s third international fiber optic route. Officials believe it will expand bandwidth, lower internet costs, and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
However, Makuei emphasized that improved connectivity must be accompanied by reliable energy supply. “Energy is a major obstacle,” he said. “Without power, we cannot support internet use in schools, businesses, or government institutions.”
Efforts to enhance the country’s digital backbone have been ongoing. In January 2020, Liquid Intelligent Technologies (LIT) completed a 200-kilometer fiber line from the Ugandan border to Juba.
Additionally, 630 kilometers of cable have been laid along the Kenya-South Sudan border, with Kenya handling the stretch from Eldoret to the border, and South Sudan responsible for the internal extension.
The infrastructure is being developed with support from major telecom firms, including Huawei, China Communications Services International (CCSI), and the Globotech-MG Telecom consortium.
Officials say the expanded network will help realize South Sudan’s goal of affordable and reliable broadband access.
“This new connection from Ethiopia is not just about faster internet,” Makuei said. “It’s about linking our people to education, innovation, and the global economy.”
