'In fact [in the] Comesa region, we are constructing a fiber cable called the Lower Indian Ocean Network under the Indian Ocean that will connect to the SEACOM cable for broadband services to our member countries,' Ngwenya said.

Many other countries in the Comesa region, Ngwenya said, are developing inland cables that will soon be connected to the SEACOM cable.

Comesa is a regional economic bloc, which has more than 19 member countries including Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ethiopia Rwanda and Uganda, and is chartered to accelerate the region's economy through improved communication and business.

Broadband connectivity means the region will have no problems linking to medical and education institutions in India for telemedicine and tele-education, Ngwenya said.

The SEACOM cable, which is privately funded and three-quarters African owned, is expected to provide bandwidth on an open access basis, allowing all operators to have equal access to the cable.

African countries currently rely on expensive and slow satellite connection for telephones and the Internet.

(Groume Abate can be contacted at groumabate@gmail.com)