NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – Kenya is committed to expanding its broadband infrastructure by investing in submarine and fiber optic cables as well as middle- and last-mile connectivity to achieve its digitization agenda.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communications, and Technology Eliud Owalo stated that the state is reliant on the ICT sector to enhance digital skills through online jobs and connect people through public Wi-Fi.
“The government of Kenya is counting on ICT to address various challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and public delivery constraints,” Owalo said.
“The Digital Transformation Agenda will facilitate the creation of an enabling legal policy environment for entrepreneurship to promote innovation and secure cyberspace.”
During the launch of the 2nd preparatory meeting for the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 (WTSA-24) in Nairobi today, Owalo confirmed that over the past year, William Ruto’s administration has rolled out 8,419 kilometers of fiber cables against the targeted 100,000 kilometers within the next 5 years.
The CS added that the government is currently undertaking massive digital skilling and digital job programs to facilitate optimal exploitation of skills, competencies, and capabilities.
“The government has embarked on rolling out 1000 Km of fiber optic cables, 25,000 wifi hotspots across the country, and setting up a total of 1450 digital hubs in the villages,” he stated.
The government anticipates that the digital hubs will become centers for innovation that nurture digital talents in all regions of the country as the ICT sector continues to pose positive growth as a result of sustained private sector investments.
“To sustain this growth in the ICT sector and open up employment and wealth-generating opportunities for the youth, the government began digitalization of services and expansion of fibre optic connectivity,’’ stated CS Owalo.
The government also lauded the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) Africa, which is preparing to participate in the WTSA24, scheduled to take place in October in New Delhi, India.
John Omo, Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union (ATU), said the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, which happens every four years, brings together different countries to agree on various standards for facilitating communication development.
The ATU works with the African ICT community to develop the ICT infrastructure in the African region.
During the WTSA24, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) is expected to present relevant proposals to the WTSA24, including a common emergency telecommunications number for Africa.
Omo noted that the main challenge affecting most African countries is the importation of device products that do not meet the required standards and communication needs.
Communications Authority of Kenya Director General David Mugonyi added that global standards can either accelerate or slow down progress.
“Standards sit at the centre of our communications universe; it is important to have an input in their context and content as we aim to improve on our collective performance at WTSA 20 and apply the lessons we carried from Geneva,” Mugonyi said.
“These preparatory meetings form the foundation of our positions and participation in the global policy discussion on information and communication and shape the outcomes of the WTSA-24 and WTDC-25 for Africa,” he added.
“We know what we need. We understand our priorities-including cross-border interactions and interoperability of devices and systems.”
