Kenya said on Monday that investment in supportive infrastructure such as fiber optics is on track to spur the growth of the digital economy.
Eliud Owalo, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, said the government plans to lay 100,000 km of fiber optic cables over the next five years, and set up digital hubs and 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots countrywide amid a quest to spur the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
Owalo stressed that with supportive infrastructure like broadband in place, the country is poised to become a regional hub for a digital economy that promises jobs for the youth.
He spoke at a briefing in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi ahead of the 13th edition of the Connected Africa Summit, which will be held in the city next week and attended by African leaders, policymakers, industry executives, innovators, and donors.
Owalo said Kenya was honored to host the five-day summit to be held under the theme “Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity.”
During the summit, delegates will discuss how Africa can improve connectivity and share knowledge and best practices needed to drive the growth of the digital economy, he said, adding that the summit will also discuss emerging issues in the digital space, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, machine learning and misinformation.
He said Kenya is committed to partnering with other African countries and unlocking opportunities presented by the digital economy as the country strives to tackle unemployment and revamp key sectors such as education, health, manufacturing, transportation, and energy.
The Kenyan official noted that in addition to skills development, the government has invested in a digital superhighway to enable youth to access online jobs and engage in e-commerce.
John Tanui, principal secretary in the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, said plans are underway to connect all public institutions, businesses, and homes to high-speed internet as part of the digital transformation agenda.
XINHUA
