Harnessing AI
For the future of fibre infrastructure
By Kebaso Mokogi, Managing Director, East Africa
If dark fibre networks are the highways of the digital economy, then AI is fast becoming the smart traffic system that keeps them running efficiently.
As Africa’s digital transformation accelerates, the demand for reliable, high-capacity connectivity has never been greater. At Yafibr, we are constantly exploring innovative ways to enhance dark fibre infrastructure and ensure that connectivity is not just available but optimized for efficiency, scalability, and digital inclusion. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to play a pivotal role in this evolution, redefining how fibre networks are designed, deployed, and maintained.
AI-driven fibre infrastructure: a game-changer
Traditionally, fibre networks have relied on manual monitoring and static management models. However, the integration of AI presents a transformative shift – one that enables predictive analytics, intelligent automation, and real-time network optimization. By leveraging AI, we can proactively identify and mitigate potential issues before they impact service, ensuring seamless connectivity for businesses, communities, and individuals.
For instance, AI-powered predictive maintenance can analyse vast amounts of network data to detect anomalies and predict failures, allowing for pre-emptive interventions. This reduces downtime, lowers maintenance costs, and extends the lifespan of fibre assets. Furthermore, AI-driven network automation enables self-optimizing infrastructure, dynamically adjusting bandwidth allocation to meet fluctuating demand.
Enhancing connectivity and inclusion with AI
One of our core objectives at Yafibr is to bridge the digital divide by enabling connectivity in underserved and remote areas. AI can help accelerate this mission by optimizing network planning and deployment. Through machine learning models, we can analyse topographical, demographic, and economic data to identify the most efficient and impactful fibre deployment strategies.
Moreover, AI-driven cybersecurity mechanisms enhance network resilience by detecting and neutralizing potential threats in real time. As reliance on digital services grows, particularly in sectors such as fintech, e-learning, and telemedicine, ensuring the security and integrity of fibre infrastructure is paramount.
Lessons from global AI-driven fibre deployments
Africa is not alone in leveraging AI to enhance fibre infrastructure. Across the world, regions are adopting AI-driven solutions to maximize efficiency and network performance. Examining these global trends can provide valuable insights for Africa’s own digital expansion.
Europe: automation and sustainability
European operators have been at the forefront of AI adoption in fibre networks, with a strong focus on automation and sustainability. Countries such as Germany and the Netherlands are leveraging AI to optimize energy consumption in data centres and fibre infrastructure. By utilizing AI-powered smart grid systems, operators can dynamically adjust energy usage, reducing carbon footprints while maintaining high performance. Africa, with its growing sustainability challenges, can benefit from similar AI-driven energy efficiency solutions to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. At Yafibr, we’re taking a similar approach. In the deployment of our colocation sites along long-haul routes, we are exploring ways to optimise energy efficiency, quality, and sustainability. By ensuring that our infrastructure supports high performance with reduced operational strain, we enable our customers, such as OTTs and MNOs, to deliver more affordable and accessible connectivity options to everyday subscribers like you and me.
Asia: smart cities and ultra-fast broadband
Asia, particularly countries like South Korea and Japan, is pioneering AI-driven fibre networks as part of their smart city initiatives. AI is used to manage vast, high-speed fibre networks that support IoT, autonomous vehicles, and edge computing. These nations have demonstrated how AI can enable seamless integration between fibre networks and emerging technologies, ensuring that connectivity is future-proof. African nations can take cues from these advancements by ensuring that AI-powered fibre networks are designed with scalability and next-generation applications in mind.
North America: predictive maintenance and network security
In North America, AI is being used extensively for predictive maintenance and cybersecurity. Telecom giants in the U.S. and Canada are employing AI to proactively identify and address network disruptions, minimizing downtime and service disruptions. Additionally, AI-driven threat detection is playing a crucial role in protecting fibre infrastructure from cyberattacks, particularly the sensitive control systems and backbone assets that support fibre networks. Given that dark fibre often underpins critical services for enterprises, governments, and cloud providers, it is an increasingly attractive target for sophisticated attacks. Strengthening security at this foundational level is key to ensuring operational continuity and trust in digital infrastructure.
The road ahead: a smarter, more resilient fibre ecosystem
As Yafibr works towards advancing digital infrastructure in Kenya and beyond, the integration of AI represents an important opportunity. The potential adoption of G.654.E fibre for high-capacity demands is one of the possibilities we are evaluating as we explore ways to optimize our network capabilities. AI could further empower us to build an agile, scalable, and sustainable fibre ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of businesses and societies.
The future of connectivity lies not just in expanding fibre networks but in making them more intelligent. At Yafibr, we continuously seek ways to innovate, recognizing the growing value of new technologies and solutions in boosting operational efficiency, enhancing user experiences, and creating a more inclusive digital landscape. By learning from global AI-driven deployments, Africa has an opportunity to accelerate its digital transformation and build a fibre infrastructure that is robust, efficient, and ready for the future.