Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital transformation through stronger public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, connectivity and supportive policy frameworks. The discussions took place during a Ministerial Breakfast Briefing at the ITW Africa meeting in Nairobi, bringing together government officials and industry stakeholders to explore opportunities for expanding Africa’s digital economy.
Representing Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, H.E. Hon. William Kabogo, EGH, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, CBS, highlighted Kenya’s continued efforts to create a more attractive environment for technology investment. He noted that the country has hosted ITW Africa for the fourth time, reflecting its growing importance as a digital infrastructure market.
Tanui pointed to several policy developments aimed at supporting the ICT sector, including the removal of the 30% local shareholding requirement in the ICT sector, the introduction of a Cloud Policy and the recent adoption of Kenya’s National AI Strategy. He said these reforms are intended to create greater opportunities for investment, innovation and digital growth.
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The Principal Secretary also highlighted Kenya’s efforts to expand its Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and open new markets through bilateral arrangements and economic partnerships with different regions. These initiatives are expected to strengthen Kenya’s position as a destination for technology companies and investors seeking opportunities across Africa.
Meanwhile, PS Stephen Isaboke, EBS, emphasised the strategic importance of digital infrastructure and data centres to Kenya’s economic development. He noted that the government is positioning the country as a key digital gateway to East Africa, supported by investments designed to improve connectivity and expand access to digital services.
As part of this agenda, Kenya plans to deploy 100,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable nationwide, establish digital hubs to equip young people with technology skills and provide 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots in locations including markets, hospitals and schools. The initiatives demonstrate Kenya’s broader push to expand digital access, strengthen infrastructure and position the country as a leading hub for Africa’s growing digital economy.
