During the first half of November 2025, China Mobile achieved significant progress in its submarine cable investments, reinforcing its role in driving global digital connectivity.
In Nairobi, Kenya, China Mobile hosted a landmark event celebrating the activation of the 2Africa submarine cable’s eastern segments, spanning South Africa–Kenya–Djibouti and Marseille–Egypt.
Held under the theme ‘Connect, Innovate, Ignite: Empowering Africa’s Digital Future Together,’ the event showcased next-generation infrastructure and intelligent connectivity platforms aimed at accelerating digital transformation for African carriers and enterprises.
Source: Hon. William Kabogo Gitau’s LinkedIn Page
H.E. Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, highlighted that digital cooperation is becoming a key driver of collaboration between China and Africa. The activation of the 2Africa submarine cable’s eastern segment and the launch of China Mobile’s AI+ Cloud-Network Convergence Industry Solutions, she noted, illustrate the strength of China–Africa digital collaboration.
Source: China Mobile International
Guo emphasized that China views Kenya as a vital partner in the journey toward digital transformation and will continue sharing expertise to support Africa’s digital economy. She expressed confidence that both countries will deepen cooperation to build an open and inclusive digital governance ecosystem that fosters shared growth and prosperity.
Source: China Mobile International
On the other hand, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, described the 2Africa project as a landmark achievement in China–Africa collaboration. He said the activation of the eastern segment will greatly enhance East Africa’s international communications capacity and strengthen digital pathways between China and Africa.
This cable does more than transmit data; it connects Africa to the future of the world, he stated.
Li Huidi, Executive Vice President of China Mobile, underlined that AI and 5G technologies are driving Africa’s economic transformation. He praised Kenya’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, which provides top-level design for computing infrastructure and data governance. Huidi added that China Mobile is ready to work closely with Kenya and other African nations to build an intelligent foundation by integrating 2Africa cable resources and advancing AI computing capabilities.
Source: China Mobile International
Related: 2Africa Makes Successful Cable Landing in Qatar
Spanning approximately 45,000 kilometers and featuring a design capacity of up to 180 Tbps, the 2Africa submarine cable is the world’s largest system of its kind, connecting 33 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The activation of the eastern segments will inject new momentum into regional digital transformation and economic growth while strengthening communications infrastructure across the continent.
Previously: China Mobile’s SJC2 Launch Promises Seamless Connectivity Across the Asia Pacific
SEA-H2X Cable Lands in Hong Kong
In another major development, China Mobile has successfully completed the landing of the Hong Kong segment of the Southeast Asia–Hainan–Hong Kong (SEA-H2X) international submarine cable, marking a key milestone in the construction of the high-capacity network system. The landing took place in Tseung Kwan O and signifies the official start of work on the Hong Kong section, with full system completion expected by the end of 2025.
Source: China Mobile International
As the leading initiator and primary investor of the SEA-H2X project, China Mobile oversaw the Hong Kong landing as the responsible landing party, ensuring smooth and timely execution.
Spanning roughly 6,000 kilometers, the SEA-H2X cable features eight trunk fiber pairs and boasts a system design capacity exceeding 200 Tbps. It connects several strategic locations across Asia, including Hainan and Hong Kong in China, as well as the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore.
According to China Mobile, the project adopts cutting-edge “Open Cable” access technology with spectrum sharing, enhancing network flexibility and access efficiency. The system also integrates advanced submarine transmission equipment to deliver ultra-high capacity and improved reliability, meeting “the high standards required for future international backbone communication networks.”
China Mobile has invested in four trunk fiber pairs and multiple branch segments, securing a minimum of 100 Tbps of dedicated bandwidth once operational. This latest addition complements the company’s existing undersea cable infrastructure—including the SJC, APG, and SJC2 systems—and brings its total number of regional submarine routes to 10. Together, these networks strengthen the operator’s ability to provide “high-bandwidth, low-latency, flexible, and reliable transmission solutions,” while supporting the creation of a world-class digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region.
The SEA-H2X project also reinforces connectivity within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and between Hainan and Southeast Asia. By linking these economic hubs, the system aims to boost the region’s digital industry development and international data center operations.
China Mobile emphasized that the SEA-H2X initiative “has enabled China Mobile to continue solidifying its core strengths in digital communication in the Asia-Pacific region and elevate its overall competitiveness in global telecommunications.” The project, it added, “has laid a robust network foundation for the long-term growth of the regional digital economy and injected sustained impetus into worldwide digital interconnectivity.”
