The United States, Kenya, and leading technology companies have announced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering digital transformation throughout the continent, in a significant move to enhance digital connectivity across Africa.
Expanding Intercontinental Fiber Optic Connectivity
Google has unveiled its investment in Africa Connect, marking the creation of the first intercontinental fiber optic route in the southern hemisphere between Kenya and the Asia Pacific region.
This groundbreaking project includes regional breakout points, ensuring trusted connectivity from Kenya to neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Google’s Africa Cloud Region.
This initiative is expected to significantly boost digital connectivity across the region, facilitating faster and more reliable internet access.
Boosting Broadband Network Access
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has committed $1.13 million for a feasibility study to support the expansion of Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group’s (BCS) operations.
This expansion aims to provide new and affordable broadband network access to thousands of individuals across East and Central Africa, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda.
By enhancing the fiber backbone and access network, the initiative is poised to attract further investments from internet service providers, ultimately broadening the reach of fixed wireless access to a larger consumer market.
Affordable Internet for Urban Communities
In another effort to increase internet accessibility, USTDA has allocated $1.26 million for a feasibility study to explore market opportunities for Poa Internet, a Kenya-based company.
The study aims to evaluate the potential for delivering affordable fixed wireless internet access to an additional one million households in low-income urban communities across Africa.
This initiative highlights the commitment to making internet connectivity more inclusive and accessible.
Reverse Trade Missions for Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity
To promote the adoption of advanced U.S. technologies and services, USTDA announced two reverse trade missions. These missions will introduce public and private sector representatives from Kenya and Tanzania to the latest innovations in last-mile connectivity and cybersecurity.
The focus is on expanding internet access and enhancing cybersecurity governance, ensuring that digital transformation projects across the region leverage cutting-edge solutions.
Infrastructure Development for Enhanced Connectivity
At the 2024 AmCham East Africa Business Summit, USTDA revealed a $1.2 million grant to the Wilken Group for the development of fiber optic infrastructure and 5G-capable towers along the Meter Gauge Railway between Mombasa and Malaba.
Additionally, USTDA announced $1.3 million in funding for a feasibility study to assess plans for a cross-continent fiber optic backbone from East Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This project aims to provide hundreds of thousands of Africans with access to affordable broadband for the first time, supporting city-level fiber networks and last-mile connectivity.
Collaborative Efforts for Last-Mile Internet Access
The Government of Kenya and Microsoft are collaborating to increase internet connectivity for 20 million Kenyans and 50 million people across East Africa by the end of 2025. This collaboration underscores the importance of last-mile wireless internet access in driving regional digital inclusion.
Digital Skills and Literacy Development
The Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) partnership, in collaboration with the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), intends to provide $1 million to YALI’s Regional Leadership Center in Kenya. This funding will support the expansion of digital skills and literacy, the growth of digital entrepreneurs and start-ups, and increased private sector engagement across East Africa.
Green Data Center for Cloud Services
In a significant infrastructure development, the Government of Kenya and Microsoft announced a partnership to construct a 1-gigawatt data center in Naivasha, Kenya. Powered entirely by geothermal energy, the data center will offer cloud-based applications and services through Microsoft Azure, supporting the digital needs of organizations and individuals in Kenya and East Africa while promoting sustainable technology.
Affordable Smartphone Access
The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced a $51 million loan to Kenyan company M-KOPA to support the financing of up to $210 million in smartphone receivables and cash loans. This initiative aims to increase the affordability of devices for low-income borrowers, furthering digital inclusion.
Strategic Dialogue on AI
The United States and Kenya have established a Strategic Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deepen collaboration on the development and deployment of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems.
The inaugural meeting is scheduled for late 2024, focusing on innovation, economic growth, and digital transformation while addressing national security implications.
Advancing AI Safety
The U.S. AI Safety Institute and Kenya’s Imagine Tech and Action Lab plan to collaborate on advancing scientific research for AI safety, developing evaluation guidance, and working towards interoperable standards. This partnership aims to integrate Kenya into the global network of institutes dedicated to AI safety.
These initiatives represent a robust and multifaceted effort to enhance digital connectivity, cybersecurity, and technological innovation across Africa, paving the way for a more connected and secure digital future.