NAIROBI, Kenya — The government is stepping up efforts to strengthen Kenya’s digital infrastructure as it seeks to expand connectivity, attract investment and position the country as a leading hub for Africa’s digital economy.
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke said digital infrastructure has moved beyond being a purely technological concern and is now a critical foundation for economic activity and the delivery of essential public services.
Isaboke made the remarks while opening the fourth edition of the ITW and Datacloud Africa Conference in Nairobi, where government officials, investors and technology industry leaders are discussing the future of connectivity, cloud computing, data centres and digital services across the continent.
“Digital infrastructure is no longer simply a technology issue. It underpins our economy and the delivery of essential services, and when it fails, the impact extends to livelihoods and public trust,” Isaboke said.
Government prioritises resilient digital infrastructure
Isaboke said Kenya’s expansion of digital infrastructure must be accompanied by measures to ensure networks and systems can withstand physical, technological and environmental disruptions.
He identified route diversity, cybersecurity, reliable power, sound data governance and infrastructure resilience as critical considerations as Kenya expands its digital networks and seeks to attract more investment.
The PS said the growing dependence on digital services means disruptions to infrastructure can have consequences extending beyond technology companies to businesses, government services and households.
The government is therefore seeking to ensure that infrastructure supporting the digital economy is not only extensive but also secure, reliable and capable of handling future demand.
Kenya targets bigger role in global digital economy
The conference comes as African economies seek to deepen their participation in the global digital economy and capture a greater share of the value generated by digital services.
Increasing internet adoption, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data-intensive applications are driving demand for connectivity, data centres and other digital infrastructure across the continent.
Isaboke said the Nairobi conference provides Kenya with an opportunity to engage global investors and infrastructure companies on opportunities emerging from Africa’s digital transformation.
The discussions are expected to focus on how countries can develop infrastructure capable of supporting growing digital demand while creating an environment that encourages long-term investment.
Connectivity positioned as foundation for digital transformation
Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui, who represented Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, outlined the broader economic vision behind Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking during a Ministerial Breakfast at the conference, Tanui highlighted Kenya’s connectivity roadmap, which includes submarine cable infrastructure, terrestrial networks and continental digital integration.
He said connectivity should not be viewed simply as a communications service but as a foundation for Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.
“You will be the ones to enable Africa to claim its rightful share of global economic output,” Tanui told delegates.
Tanui urged technology companies, infrastructure operators and investors to play a leading role in ensuring African countries capture more economic value from digital technologies.
Government looks beyond internet access
Tanui said Kenya’s digital agenda is increasingly focused on using infrastructure to unlock investment, innovation, job creation and wider economic growth rather than concentrating solely on expanding internet access.
The government is seeking to build infrastructure capable of supporting the next generation of digital services, including cloud platforms, artificial intelligence and data-intensive applications.
Data centres and cloud computing gain strategic importance
The conference is also highlighting the growing role of data centres and cloud infrastructure in Africa’s digital transformation.
As businesses adopt cloud-based systems and artificial intelligence applications, demand is increasing for secure facilities capable of storing and processing large volumes of data.
However, Isaboke’s emphasis on reliable power, cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience points to some of the key requirements for sustaining that growth.
Digital infrastructure investors typically require dependable electricity, resilient connectivity, strong security systems and predictable regulatory and data-governance frameworks.
Nearly 2,000 leaders attend Nairobi conference
The week-long ITW and Datacloud Africa Conference has attracted nearly 2,000 technology, government and business leaders from more than 80 countries, underlining the growing strategic importance of Africa’s digital infrastructure sector.
The gathering brings together government officials, investors, technology companies, infrastructure operators and international industry stakeholders.
Participants are examining opportunities across connectivity, cloud computing, data centres, artificial intelligence and broader digital infrastructure.
Among the key dignitaries attending the conference is Adji Ali Salatou, Niger’s Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, alongside senior government and industry representatives from Africa and international markets.
