Kenya is among 11 countries that will benefit from Sh2.3 billion (€15 million) that the European Union (EU) has committed for the Africa Broadband Mapping Systems (Africa-BB-Maps) project.
Kenya will also benefit from the EU’s plan to expand the subsea blue cable project from Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and to Tanzania.
The European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, made the revelation during the launch of the Africa-BB-Maps in Nairobi.
Ms Geiger said the EU is mobilising about €300 million (Sh45.28billion) towards funding the initiative that targets African countries, including Kenya.
“The EU private sector is mobilising €300 million in this initiative. In Kenya, the EU is connecting 1,000 primary schools with broadband,” Ms Geiger said.
“The 15 million euros to be invested in Africa Broadband Mapping Systems will benefit 11 countries, including Kenya.”
The Africa-BB-Maps is a continental initiative that seeks to transform broadband connectivity across 11 Sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya, through harmonised broadband mapping systems that will drive policymaking, digital inclusion, and strategic infrastructure investments.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with support from the European Commission.
The initiative also targets Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côted'Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
The launch of the initiative in Kenya marks the operational start of Kenya’s implementation of the Africa-BB-Maps initiative.
Communications Authority Director General David Mugonyi said broadband is at the heart of the country’s economic growth.
He said only 47.5 percent of Kenyan households have access to the internet, with the number dropping to 26 percent in rural areas.
Mr Mugonyi said 164 sublocations lack 3G and 4G internet in Kenya, and the Africa Broadband Mapping Systems (Africa-BB-Maps) project will facilitate connections across the country.
“There is a need to eliminate this digital divide and facilitate the 164 sublocations which lack 3G and 4G internet to get connected,” Mr Mugonyi said.
He said the CA is partnering with other government institutions to develop the country’s digital superhighway in order to connect schools, health facilities, and other public facilities with high-speed internet connections.
Speaking during the launch of the Africa-BB-Maps, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke said broadband connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental catalyst for socio-economic development, innovation, and prosperity.
“From education and healthcare to entrepreneurship and social inclusion, broadband has become an indispensable enabler in shaping modern economies,” Mr Isaboke said.
“Our National Digital Masterplan and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda are very clear on the place of broadband in powering our economy and our intention to achieve that goal.”
Mr Isaboke said Kenya has firmly positioned itself on the path toward a digital future, with ambitions on broadband penetration by 2030, prioritising the unserved and underserved communities that have historically been left behind in digital connectivity.
Mr Isaboke said the commitment reflects a broader vision to harness technology to transform lives and drive inclusive national development.
“The initiative we are launching here today is a vital enabler for this vision, by providing a data-driven approach to understanding Kenya’s broadband infrastructure landscape and identifying gaps in coverage, quality of service, and affordability,” Mr Isaboke said.
“By developing harmonised, validated, and publicly accessible broadband maps, we shall be able to make informed decisions that optimise infrastructure investments and policy interventions.”
He said the Africa-BB-Maps project has a holistic and inclusive design that integrates broadband data with related sectors such as energy, transport, health, education, and urban planning.
“I see this integrated approach as central to the formulation of evidence-based policies recognizing broadband’s role as a key driver of multi-sectoral development,” he said.
“Open data access and the adoption of international standards further enhance transparency and encourage collaboration across government agencies, regulators, private sector players, civil society, and development partners.”
The PS said efficient and accurate data collection is critical to maintaining an up-to-date broadband map that truly reflects the realities of our ecosystem.
He said regulatory monitoring, supported by effective legal frameworks that mandate data submission and quality of service standards, will play a crucial role in enforcing compliance by service providers.
“In line with our endeavour for transparency and openness, public availability of broadband data fosters stakeholder engagement, will engender civil society oversight, and attract private sector investment by demonstrating market opportunities and connectivity gaps,” Mr Isaboke said.
“We are also focusing on capacity enhancement initiatives, especially in geospatial information systems (GIS), which are possible through partnerships with universities and technical institutions, to gain skills necessary to manage and analyse broadband data effectively.
