Empowering Africa Through Its Original Digital Backbone

Seacom was born in 2009 with Africa’s first privately-owned subsea cable – a bold step that cut the cost of international bandwidth and reshaped the continent’s digital landscape.

Today, we remain the trusted backbone for thousands of businesses and carriers, building on that legacy with cloud, security and smart networking services for Africa’s digital future.

Our Story

2009: The Breakthrough

Seacom launched the first privately-owned subsea cable in Africa, ending dependence on costly satellite connections.

Lowering Barriers

By cutting international bandwidth prices by up to 85%, we made broadband more accessible and created space for digital innovation.

Expanding Reach

Today our backbone spans 35,000 km of fibre, six subsea cables, 38 network hubs and operations across 17 markets.

Earning Trust

From Standard Bank to MTN, Vodacom, Google and Netflix, global leaders and African enterprises depend on Seacom.

2009: The Breakthrough

Seacom launched the first privately-owned subsea cable in Africa, ending dependence on costly satellite connections.

Lowering Barriers

By cutting international bandwidth prices by up to 85%, we made broadband more accessible and created space for digital innovation.

Expanding Reach

Today our backbone spans 35,000 km of fibre, six subsea cables, 38 network hubs and operations across 17 markets.

Earning Trust

From Standard Bank to MTN, Vodacom, Google and Netflix, global leaders and African enterprises depend on Seacom.

2009: The Breakthrough

Seacom launched the first privately-owned subsea cable in Africa, ending dependence on costly satellite connections.

Lowering Barriers

By cutting international bandwidth prices by up to 85%, we made broadband more accessible and created space for digital innovation.

Expanding Reach

Today our backbone spans 35,000 km of fibre, six subsea cables, 38 network hubs and operations across 17 markets.

Earning Trust

From Standard Bank to MTN, Vodacom, Google and Netflix, global leaders and African enterprises depend on Seacom.

Our Mission

Empowering Africa For a Digitally Connected Future

In 2009, Seacom sparked Africa’s digital growth by launching the first broadband subsea cable along the East and Southern coasts. Today, we partner with enterprises, carriers and service providers across eight countries to deliver the digital performance they need to grow.

We go beyond connectivity with cloud, security and managed services – all running on Seacom’s own resilient network. As a privately owned provider with the scale to serve the continent, we support clients across industries with everything they need to thrive in a connected world.

our-mission-kv1

Our Values

These six principles guide how we work, how we lead, and how we show up for our clients every day.

Accountability

We take ownership. We own our results, learn from our failures, and follow through – every time.

Care

We respect each other, keep our promises, and treat people with dignity – always.

Client-Centric

We listen actively, respond proactively, and aim to exceed expectations.

Collaboration

We play to each other’s strengths and value our differences, knowing the best results come from working together.

Innovation

We challenge the status quo, pursue growth, and never stop finding smarter ways to do things.

Professional Excellence

We aim high, act with integrity, and hold ourselves to standards we expect from others.

Group Leadership

Seacom’s Group Leadership team sets the vision and direction for the business. With expertise across telecoms, technology, finance and strategy, they guide Seacom’s evolution from Africa’s original digital backbone into a trusted partner for digital transformation.

Alpheus Mangale

Group Chief Executive Officer

Charl Slabbert

Group Chief Financial Officer

Richard Schumacher

Group Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure

Soraya Bagus

Group Chief People & Culture Officer

Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen

Group Chief Marketing Officer

Thembi Mazibuko

Group Chief Strategy & Business, Management Officer

Alpheus Mangale

Group Chief Executive Officer

Alpheus has more than 25 years’ experience across telecoms, enterprise technology and transformation in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He leads Seacom’s strategy to grow from connectivity pioneer into a digital services partner for the future.

LinkedIn
Charl Slabbert

Group Chief Financial Officer

Charl leads Seacom’s financial strategy and operations. He ensures the business is financially robust and positioned to invest in infrastructure, expand services and deliver long-term value for clients and shareholders.

LinkedIn
Richard Schumacher

Group Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure

Richard manages Seacom’s backbone and fibre operations. His focus is on making the network resilient, scalable and ready to power growth for both enterprises and carriers.

LinkedIn
Soraya Bagus

Group Chief People & Culture Officer

Soraya leads Seacom’s people and culture strategy. With a strong HR background in telecoms, insurance and banking, she builds teams and practices that enable growth and transformation.

LinkedIn
Mandisa Ntloko-Petersen

Group Chief Marketing Officer

Mandisa heads Seacom’s brand, marketing and communications. With a strong track record in telecoms and enterprise marketing, she ensures Seacom’s story connects clearly with clients and their customers – linking its heritage as Africa’s original digital backbone to its vision for the digital future.

LinkedIn
Thembi Mazibuko

Group Chief Strategy & Business, Management Officer

Thembi shapes Seacom’s long-term strategy and operational direction. She focuses on innovation, efficiency and guiding the business towards sustainable growth.

LinkedIn
Section Background

Digital Infrastructure Leadership

Seacom’s Digital Infrastructure business manages the backbone that powers enterprises and carriers across Africa. This team ensures our fibre, subsea cables and network operations are resilient, scalable and ready to support growth.

Richard Schumacher

Group Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure

Prenesh Padayachee

Group Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Digital Infrastructure

Giovanni Da Costa

Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure, South Africa

Kevin Kaburu

Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure, East Africa & Middle East

Richard Schumacher

Group Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure

Richard manages Seacom’s backbone and fibre operations. His focus is on making the network resilient, scalable and ready to power growth for both enterprises and carriers.

LinkedIn
Prenesh Padayachee

Group Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Digital Infrastructure

Prenesh oversees Seacom’s network technology and operations. With three decades in telecoms, he ensures seamless connectivity and resilient infrastructure.

LinkedIn
Giovanni Da Costa

Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure, South Africa

Giovanni leads Seacom’s infrastructure business in South Africa. With 20 years in ICT, he focuses on expansion, reliability and strengthening client relationships.

LinkedIn
Kevin Kaburu

Managing Director, Digital Infrastructure, East Africa & Middle East

Kevin brings over 15 years of experience in telecoms and infrastructure leadership in the region. He focuses on delivering robust connectivity solutions across Africa and the Middle East.

LinkedIn

Digital Services Leadership

Seacom’s Digital Services business helps enterprises move beyond connectivity. From cloud to cyber security, communications and smart networking, this team drives the innovation and delivery that keeps African businesses secure, agile and competitive.

Anton Jooste

Managing Director, Digital Services, South Africa

Parag Patil

Managing Director, Kenya & Chief Commercial Officer, Digital Services, East Africa

Patrick Ndegwa

Managing Director, Digital Services, Uganda

Anton Jooste

Managing Director, Digital Services, South Africa

Anton brings over 20 years of ICT leadership experience from leading ICT companies. His strategic expertise and proven ability to scale digital businesses will drive Seacom’s growth, innovation, and client success.

LinkedIn
Parag Patil

Managing Director, Kenya & Chief Commercial Officer, Digital Services, East Africa

Parag leads Seacom’s digital services in Kenya and Africa. He focuses on delivering high-quality cloud and data solutions tailored to enterprise needs.

LinkedIn
Patrick Ndegwa

Managing Director, Digital Services, Uganda

Patrick drives Seacom’s digital services in Uganda. He brings experience across strategy, operations and customer management, helping enterprises adopt secure digital solutions.

LinkedIn

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Seacom founded?

Seacom launched Africa’s first privately owned subsea cable in 2009, connecting the continent to the world and cutting the cost of international bandwidth by up to 85%.

Who owns Seacom?

Seacom is privately owned, with long-term investors including Remgro, Sanlam, Solcon Capital and IPS (part of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development).

Where does Seacom operate?

Our network spans more than 35,000 km of subsea and terrestrial fibre, with operations in 17 African markets and offices in key hubs including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mauritius.

What services does Seacom provide beyond connectivity?

Alongside resilient digital infrastructure, we deliver cloud, security, managed services and smart networking – giving enterprises a simpler, more reliable way to grow.

Who are Seacom’s clients?

We work with more than 4,000 enterprises and service providers, from global names like Google, Netflix and Standard Bank to local carriers, governments and growing African businesses.

How does Seacom support Africa’s digital future?

Through our Seabeyond 2030 strategy, we’re investing in new subsea systems, land corridors, and local data centres, while building services ready for AI, cloud and the next generation of digital innovation.

Seacom launched Africa’s first privately owned subsea cable in 2009, connecting the continent to the world and cutting the cost of international bandwidth by up to 85%.

Seacom is privately owned, with long-term investors including Remgro, Sanlam, Solcon Capital and IPS (part of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development).

Our network spans more than 35,000 km of subsea and terrestrial fibre, with operations in 17 African markets and offices in key hubs including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mauritius.

Alongside resilient digital infrastructure, we deliver cloud, security, managed services and smart networking – giving enterprises a simpler, more reliable way to grow.

We work with more than 4,000 enterprises and service providers, from global names like Google, Netflix and Standard Bank to local carriers, governments and growing African businesses.

Through our Seabeyond 2030 strategy, we’re investing in new subsea systems, land corridors, and local data centres, while building services ready for AI, cloud and the next generation of digital innovation.