Kenya Unveils LuLu, New Submarine Cable to Link Mombasa to Lamu by 2028

Kenya has unveiled a new submarine LuLu cable system that will connect key coastal towns from Mombasa to Lamu, strengthening digital connectivity along the country’s 500-kilometre Indian Ocean coastline.

According to a press release dated September 9, the LuLu Coastal Cable System is expected to be ready for service in the second quarter of 2028, subject to the execution of contracts.

The system is being developed by INDOI Ltd (IOX), Blue Trade Investments Limited, ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), AfriTrade Consulting Group and Kingdom Bank.

“The East African submarine cable landscape reached a defining milestone today as LuLu, the Kenyan coast’s first fully protected coastal cable system, was announced at ITW Africa 2026,” read part of the release.

LuLu Cable to Connect Five Coastal Landing Stations

The cable will link five strategic landing points between Mombasa and Lamu, including Vipingo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Kilifi and Malindi.

According to the developers, LuLu will combine a submarine cable running along the Indian Ocean seabed with a parallel protected terrestrial route.

“The LuLu Coastal Cable System is a submarine cable designed to strengthen connectivity along Kenya’s 500km Indian Ocean coast, linking five strategic landing points from Mombasa to Lamu, including Vipingo SEZ, Kilifi and Malindi,” read the press release.

The dual-path design is intended to provide additional resilience and reduce the risk of connectivity disruptions affecting businesses and other users along the coast.

Also Read: Uganda Set to Become World’s Newest Oil Exporter as First Shipments Begin in December

In addition, the system will use Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology in the 1550nm window and will have 144 fibres, with a design capacity of up to 60 Tbps per fibre pair.

It is designed to have an operational lifespan of 25 years and will feature centralised network management.

Cable to Link Coast to Global Internet Backbone

The developers also noted that one of the major landing points will be the Vipingo SEZ, which developers say could benefit from direct submarine cable connectivity.

The connection is expected to support investment in areas such as data centres, cloud computing, business process outsourcing, financial technology, cybersecurity and smart manufacturing.

Additionally, George Olaka, Country Head of ARISE IIP Kenya, said the cable would complement the industrial infrastructure being developed at Vipingo.

“The LuLu cable system adds an important dimension to that vision,” Olaka said.

He added that resilient submarine cable connectivity would strengthen the zone’s ability to attract manufacturers as well as digital and technology-driven businesses.

The Mombasa landing will connect the LuLu system to the existing global internet backbone, allowing the other landing stations to access submarine cables already operating in Mombasa.

This is expected to give businesses and operators using the coastal cable system access to international connectivity through Mombasa.

The developers also said the infrastructure could support the wider LAPSSET corridor, particularly as digital connectivity becomes increasingly important to industrial and logistics developments.

Who Is Behind the LuLu Cable?

Mauritius-based INDOI Ltd (IOX) is the developer, owner and commercial operator of the LuLu Cable System.

Blue Trade Investments Limited, a Kenyan-registered investment company, will serve as the cable landing party, regulatory interface and operational delivery partner in Kenya.

Also Read: Coast Water Works Development Agency Announces Multiple Vacancies in 6 Counties

ARISE IIP, which is developing the Vipingo SEZ, is also part of the project, alongside AfriTrade Consulting Group and Kingdom Bank.

INDOI founder and Chief Executive Officer Arunachalam Kandasamy described the project as a major step in strengthening digital infrastructure along Kenya’s coast.

He said the system was designed specifically for the coastal corridor stretching from Mombasa to Lamu.

The LuLu Coastal Cable System is expected to be operational in Q2 2028, although the timeline remains subject to contract execution.

Once completed, the system will provide dedicated submarine and terrestrial connectivity between multiple coastal locations.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates.

George Olaka, Country Head of ARISE IIP Kenya. Photo /Courtesy