Kenya has embarked on the process of reviewing the country’s building code in a bid to increase fixed broadband connectivity to reach 12 million households within the next six years.
Speaking during the opening of the Connected Africa Summit 2024, President William Ruto said the review will ensure all new buildings in the country are fibre-optic-ready in order to increase sustainable universal access and close the digital.
“Under this vision, our goal is to connect 100,000 institutions and markets, and significantly increase fixed broadband access from 1.2 million to 8 million out of 12 million households between 2022 and 2030,” said President Ruto.
According to the President, the move will also ensure the country sustains the above 10pc growth rate by deepening ICT and digital inclusion through the last mile fibre optic connectivity where the government targets to lay additional 100,000km of fibre by 2027.
“Through our commitment to invest in the development of broadband infrastructure and foster the emergence of a digitally enabled society, we shall lay down the foundations for an inclusive, prosperous African future, where every citizen can thrive as an active participant in an interconnected global economy. This strategic focus is not only about connectivity but also about empowering every citizen in a dynamic digital landscape,” he added.
This comes as policymakers ICT policymakers in the continent are being challenged to develop policies that will help attract investments to build the continent’s digital infrastructure in order to help close the digital divide.
“We have got opportunities to enhance the level of digital public infrastructure for Africa. We need to enhance the level of fibre connectivity, our internet connectivity so that we have universal access and we have digital inclusivity,” stated Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for Information and Digital Economy.
Statistics indicate that Africa with a population of 1.4 billion people currently has only 473 million internet users translating to a penetration rate of 36pc.
On the other hand, fixed broadband penetration in Africa is pegged at a meager 5pc compared to other regions, a factor brought about by limited undersea connection where the continent only has 19 fibre optic cables connected to the rest of the world.
Close collaboration in the continent is also expected to help accelerate connectivity and increase digital economy contribution to Africa’s GDP to $712 billion by 2050.
“ICT authorities and regulators and similar institutions from across the continent would be fundamental in coordinating the implementation of the outcomes of this summit. Together with my peers, we have agreed to form a caucus of authorities responsible for digital connectivity to coordinate these efforts and support our respective governments in the achievement of these priorities that will be identified here,” added ICTA Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Kamanguya.
Now in its 13th year, Connected Africa Summit 2024 has brought together participants from 49 countries, 35 of which are African.
