The government of Kenya has announced plans to expand the national fibre optic cable over the next five years. President William Ruto revealed the pla
The government of Kenya has announced plans to expand the national fibre optic cable over the next five years. President William Ruto revealed the plans and said the expansion will be an additional 100,000km. This the Head of State said it will boost the country’s digital economy through increased broadband availability.
The new infrastructure will offer additional broadband to the national fibre backbone network amid uncertainty surrounding its maintenance. Upon its implementation, more Kenyans and businesses will have access to an improved internet speeds, lower latency and broader bandwidth that is posed to give Kenya a competitive edge in the global digital economy.
Digital economy
“The government is committed to invest in the digital superhighway and the creative economy, which will be enablers of transformation, productivity and overall competitiveness. Over the next five years, the government will ensure universal broadband availability through the roll-out of connectivity throughout the country,” said President Ruto.
A conducted in partnership with Omidyar Network, validates Kenya’s position as a continental leader in access to digital infrastructure, finding that 98% of people own a SIM card, more than half use a smartphone, and 65% have access to the internet.
It also sheds new light on the degree to which Kenyans rely on and are satisfied with digital tools and services, with an overwhelming majority of people (84%) reporting that digital devices and services are making their lives better. However 22% of people still use only basic digital services like sending and receiving money on mobile phones or topping up airtime, and less than a third of Kenyans—a significant minority—have seen any boost in income as a result of using digital devices and services, suggesting that the use of digital services for business and livelihoods has considerable room for growth and deeper engagement. Digital inequity has always been identified as some of the factors slowing down the country’s creativity and innovation, especially among the youths.