Kenya remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing broadband infrastructure, with significant investments in submarine and fiber optic cables, alongside efforts to improve middle- and last-mile connectivity. Eliud Owalo, Kenya’s Information, Communications, and Technology Cabinet Secretary, reiterated the government’s dedication to advancing its digitization goals.

Owalo emphasized the pivotal role of ICT in addressing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and limitations in public service delivery, while also fostering innovation and ensuring cybersecurity through an enabling legal policy framework.

Speaking at the launch of the 2nd preparatory meeting for the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 (WTSA-24) in Nairobi, Owalo highlighted the administration’s achievements in rolling out 8,419 kilometers of fiber cables, with ambitious plans to extend this to 100,000 kilometers within the next five years.

“The government has embarked on rolling out 1000 km of fiber optic cables, establishing 25,000 wifi hotspots across the country, and setting up a total of 1450 digital hubs in the villages,” he added.

These digital hubs are envisioned to serve as innovation centers, nurturing digital talents nationwide and contributing to positive growth in the ICT sector through sustained private sector investments.

Information, Communications, and Technology Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo reiterated the government’s reliance on the ICT sector to foster digital skills through online employment opportunities and widespread access to public Wi-Fi.

To sustain this momentum and unlock employment and wealth-generating opportunities, the government continues to prioritize service digitalization and the expansion of fiber optic connectivity.