The broadband connections are expected to lead to cheaper connectivity within Africa and the region through a link with the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System running under the Indian Ocean and being supported by the Zambian government.

The fiber networks will provide efficient and effective broadband infrastructure to support high-capacity connectivity for enterprises, according to Rose Mwanza, Zamtel's acting public relations manager. Zamtel is a government-run telco that operates a sister mobile communication company, Cellz.

Zambia's first fiber-optic cables are being laid by Chinese firm Huawei Technologies on more than 10 routes across the country to the borders with neighboring countries.

"The cables will connect so many countries in the region but unfortunately will cost more than [what was] initially budgeted," Mwanza said Tuesday.

Another Zamtel fiber-optic initiative, dubbed the Lusaka Metropolitan project, has already been completed and commissioned to provide capacity and connectivity within the country's capital.