Kenya is Among 11 Countries In the EU $118M Broadband Project

Kenya is among 11 countries in the EU $118M broadband project that promises to bring better internet to many people across Africa. This is great news because it means more schools, homes, and communities in Kenya and other countries will get faster and more reliable internet.

The European Union (EU) is investing a total of $118 million in this big project called Africa Broadband Mapping Systems, or Africa-BB-Maps. Kenya is among 11 countries set to benefit from $16.5 million of this money. This project will help Kenya and its neighbors understand exactly where internet coverage is good and where it is missing. With this information, governments and companies can work together to fix the areas without strong internet.

European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, spoke about the project when it was launched in Nairobi. She said the EU is coming together with the private sector to raise around $330 million to improve the internet in several African countries, including Kenya. One important goal is to connect 1,000 primary schools in Kenya to broadband. This means many more children will be able to use the internet for learning.

Kenya is among 11 countries in the EU $118M broadband project that also includes Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The project is planned to run from 2025 to 2028 and is led by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) with funding from the EU.

The Africa-BB-Maps project will build detailed broadband maps for each country. These maps show where internet cables, towers, and connections already exist and where they are missing. This will help countries see which parts have poor internet and need investment. It is a smart way to use data to improve internet coverage.

Kenya is among 11 countries in the EU broadband project that will also benefit from the expansion of the subsea blue cable. This cable connects Kenya with Djibouti, Somalia, and Tanzania under the ocean, carrying high-speed internet signals. Expanding this cable will make the internet faster and more reliable in the region.

David Mugonyi, the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, explained why this project is important for the country. Right now, only about 47.5 percent of Kenyan households have the internet. In rural areas, it is even less – only 26 percent. Many places still do not have 3G or 4G internet, which means people miss out on things like online jobs, education, and staying connected with family and friends.

He said Kenya needs to close this digital gap so more people can benefit from the internet. This project will help map and fix those areas, making sure no one is left behind. It is a big step for Kenya because better internet means better chances for jobs, education, and business.

By being part of this huge EU project, Kenya is among 11 countries set to see real progress in internet access. The $16.5 million from the EU and the larger $118 million project will bring new broadband technology and better planning to Kenya’s internet system. This helps the country build a stronger digital future.

In conclusion, Kenya is among 11 countries in the EU $118M broadband project that will improve internet access through careful mapping and investments. The Africa-BB-Maps project and the subsea cable expansion will bring faster internet to schools and communities that need it most. This effort by the EU and international partners offers hope for a future where more people in Kenya and across Africa can use the internet for education, work, and growth.

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