SEACOM is the first of three submarine cables set to land in Africa to receive approval from Kenya's National Environmental Management Authority.

"NEMA received positive environmental impact assessment reports following comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments," said Muusya Mwinzi, NEMA director general.

SEACOM has set high standards that the competing cables -- The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) -- will have to follow, Mwinzi added at a presentation of the certificate of approval on Monday.

Prior to commencing operations, SEACOM was required to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to NEMA, which studied the potential impacts, as well as necessary mitigation measures, of the fiber-optic submarine cable. The EIA examined SEACOM's potential impact on marine life and resources, such as coral reefs and turtle nesting areas, as well as its impact on communities living near the proposed cable landing station.

The cable route does not interfere with archaeological sites on the Kenyan coast and is expected to land in Mombasa by June.

The 15,000 kilometer undersea cable is backed by Tata Communications and will use the existing Tata Communications network to link East Africa to Southern Africa, India and Europe.