Huawei to support Kenya Government to expand digital infrastructure

Multinational ICT provider, Huawei have announced a partnership with the Kenyan Government to support Kenya's bid to expand digital infrastructure.

The partnership will see 43,000km of fibre cable rolled out to help promote connectivity through the expansion of the country's broadband infrastructure.

The Director for enterprise business at Huawei Kenya, Steve Kamuya, stated the project will start with laying 25,000 km of fibre and later install an additional 18,000 km to bridge the digital connectivity divide in Kenya.

In a statement during the 2022 edition of the Connected Kenya Conference, Kamuya said, “

Accelerating ICT infrastructure construction is critical for ensuring universal access to all. Huawei will rally behind the implementation of the National Broadband Strategy to boost connectivity and access to affordable digital services in Kenya.

Steve Kamuya commented that investing in additional broadband infrastructure will be a boon to the country's digital economy, noting that access to devices like computers, phones and tablets would be key to accelerating the transition to a knowledge-based economy.

He added that intelligent transport facilities, smart lighting and the creation of smart cities will be realised once the country invests in the expansion of broadband infrastructure.

The Vice Director for the Programs Management Office Huawei Kenya, Maureen Mwaniki also stated “investing in supportive infrastructure and soft skills was key to bridging the digital divide in the country.

According to Mwaniki, Huawei had rolled out training programs in Kenya to boost digital literacy among local youth and ensure they were actively in efforts to spur the growth of a knowledge-based economy.”

Foreign-backed subsea cables landing in Africa will send jitters to local subsea cable operators in the telecommunication sector in Africa.

Less than a month after it landed in the Republic of Togo, Equiano, a subsea cable powered by Google, is heading to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital in April. It is the third subsea cable backed by three big tech companies that are targeting the continent.