The ICT Authority has unveiled a comprehensive Strategic Plan (2024-2027) to accelerate Kenya’s digital transformation.
The plan outlines key initiatives to bolster the Digital Superhighway and foster a thriving creative economy.
This four-year plan sets ambitious objectives, including the establishment of nationwide digital literacy programs, the expansion of a secure broadband infrastructure, and the roll-out of e-government services intended to deliver public services directly to the fingertips of all citizens.
During the launch, Dr. Margaret Ndung’u, the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, commended the ICT Authority for this significant milestone.
She highlighted that the strategy will act as a roadmap for achieving various projects outlined in the National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032.
“With this strategic plan, we are building digital bridges that span across our great nation, ensuring that no community or individual is left behind in our digital evolution. It is crucial for us to empower women, particularly in rural areas, through digital technologies—they will help shape our future,” Dr. Ndung’u stated.
The Cabinet Secretary also noted the Ministry’s commitment to expanding Kenya’s fibre network across 100,000 kilometers, establishing 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots, and developing 1,450 Digital Village Smart Hubs nationwide.
Further emphasizing Kenya’s leadership in the digital space, Dr. Ndung’u announced that the country will host the second edition of the Connected Africa Summit.
The summit aims to harmonize regional and continental ICT policies, and she reassured stakeholders of the Ministry’s dedication to enhancing ICT infrastructure and regulatory frameworks favouring national and international investments.
“Our role as a government is to facilitate, create opportunities, and remove barriers to progress. I encourage our partners in the private sector to continue investing in innovation, training, and infrastructure that will empower the next generation of African leaders,” she asserted.
In his remarks, Eng. John Tanui, the Permanent Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, reiterated the government’s commitment to making the Connected Africa Summit 2025 a landmark event. He urged collaboration among ICT stakeholders to foster growth within the digital economy.
“As we approach the 2025 Connected Africa Summit, we envision a significant role for the private sector in leading this summit. This will serve as an invaluable platform to share experiences on local manufacturing, software development, and the creation of innovative ICT solutions,” he explained.
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority, stressed the importance of the Connected Africa Summit as a vital forum for addressing the continent’s challenges.
He highlighted how the 2024-2027 strategic plan will enable the Authority to realize interventions from platforms like the Connected Africa Summit and advance the commercialization of existing government ICT infrastructure.
“Through this Strategy, we have identified revenue-raising measures to support the government’s digital economy agenda. Through NOFBI infrastructure, we can collaborate with the private sector to unlock the potential of these investments, ensuring revenues are funneled back into executing the strategic plan,” Kamanguya stated.
The launch event was well-attended by notable figures, including Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani, the Broadcasting and Telecommunication PS, Hon. Sylvanus Maritim, ICT Board Chairman, and various CEOs from the ICT sector, as well as partners and sponsors of the Connected Africa Summit 2024.
