At present, government officials in Kenya are traversing the nation to inaugurate complimentary Wi-Fi hotspots, sparking a diverse range of public responses.
Nevertheless, if implemented effectively, this program holds the potential to improve connectivity and bridge the digital gap.
Wifimap, an organization claiming the title of the world’s largest Wi-Fi hotspot database operator, reports that Kenya boasts 11,420 accessible free Wi-Fi hotspots. This places Kenya in the 12th position on the continent, trailing its neighbouring Somalia, which boasts 11,805 free Wi-Fi hotspots. On a broader African scale, Egypt leads the pack in terms of hotspot density, followed by Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, with all top-ranking spots being secured by North African nations.
Within the Eastern African region, Kenya takes the third position, trailing Ethiopia and Somalia. On the global scale, Indonesia claims the number one spot, followed by Brazil, Iraq, with the United States rounding out the top four.
It’s important to note that these statistics are sourced from the Wi-Fi Map database of free Wi-Fi hotspots, which provides users with access to millions of locations offering complimentary Wi-Fi. This data is reliant on users downloading the app and scanning for nearby hotspots to identify those accessible to the public, forming the foundation of the app’s database. Consequently, these statistics may reflect the popularity of the app in certain countries rather than the total number of available hotspots.
Nevertheless, for a nation that prides itself on its digital leadership, this ranking should serve as a wake-up call to the government to intensify its efforts.
Exercise Caution When Using Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
Free Wi-Fi hotspots have proven to be a boon for numerous users and have become a common feature in many public spaces, serving as an enticing factor for businesses looking to attract customers.
Regrettably, the very characteristics that make free Wi-Fi appealing to consumers also make it attractive to hackers, primarily due to the absence of authentication required to establish a network connection. This presents an enticing opportunity for hackers to gain unrestricted access to unsecured devices connected to the same network. Therefore, it is advisable to limit your use of free Wi-Fi and select networks with a trustworthy reputation.