Kenya has begun distributing laptops and interactive smart boards to more than 10,000 junior secondary schools, as the government accelerates efforts to digitize education and align learning with workforce demands.
The rollout will cover 10,382 schools, each receiving one teacher laptop and one 65-inch interactive smart board, under the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), a government programme supported by the World Bank.
The scale of the initiative highlights the growing emphasis on digital skills in Africa’s education systems, where countries are racing to prepare young populations for participation in the global digital economy.
“Today, we are not merely flagging off devices; we are investing in human capital, digital skills and the future prosperity of our children,” said Stephen Isaboke, principal secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
Kenya’s digital push is underpinned by parallel investments in infrastructure. The government says it has already deployed more than 30,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable toward a 100,000-kilometre national target, while over 8,000 public institutions have been connected to the internet.
Officials say these investments are critical to ensuring that the devices translate into real classroom impact, particularly in underserved and rural areas where connectivity gaps remain a challenge.
Jessy Maruti, chief executive officer of the ICT Authority, said the programme’s success will depend on outcomes rather than distribution figures. “The true value of this programme will not be measured by the number of devices delivered, but by the impact they create in classrooms,” he said.
The World Bank, which is backing the project, said the use of interactive technology could significantly improve student engagement and learning outcomes. “These devices will make lessons more visual, interactive and engaging,” said Aneliya Muller, KDEAP task leader.
Lawmakers have framed the rollout as a strategic investment in Kenya’s competitiveness. John Kiarie, chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, said integrating technology into classrooms will help equip learners with skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The government said the programme is part of a broader ecosystem that includes teacher training, digital content, connectivity, maintenance and monitoring systems aimed at ensuring sustainability.
The phased rollout marks one of Kenya’s largest recent investments in classroom technology, with officials positioning it as a key step toward building a digitally skilled workforce and a more inclusive, knowledge-driven economy.