Communications Authority of Kenya targets 100 per cent rural ICT coverage by 2027 under Sh40bn strategy

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) aims to increase the footprint of ICT infrastructure and services to nearly 100 per cent of rural and underserved areas by 2027, under an ambitious Sh40 billion programme.

The initiative, which is part of the broader Universal Service Fund (USF) Strategy for 2023-2027, seeks to facilitate equitable access to ICT services across the country, particularly targeting communities that have historically been left behind in terms of digital connectivity.

Involving significant investments from both the government and private sector, the initiative focuses on creating impactful projects that address the digital divide in remote areas.

Despite the scale of the investment, concern has been raised about the current utilisation rate of ICT services in the country.

According to Charles Juma, UK Digital Access Programme (DAP) Country Lead & Adviser, British High Commission Nairobi, usage and utilisation of the infrastructure and services stand below 30 per cent countrywide.

He spoke on Tuesday during the launch of the fund’s 2023-2027 strategy at a Nairobi hotel. He describes the figure as alarmingly low, given the level of funding and infrastructure being deployed.

“From the strategy, USF and CA and all players are targeting to reach 100 per cent broadband coverage either of the geography or population by 2030, but what was not well articulated is the concern around the lack of usage of those services,” Juma said.

“These services we are providing, the usage is below 30 per cent, and that should be worrying. Why should we have 100 per cent coverage of population and geography, and the usage is below 30 per cent?”

He added that the dynamics do not make economic sense to business people, the government and the development partners at large.

He thus called on the Authority to ensure that usage aligns with the investments to unlock more funding towards the kitty, and ensure that the 2027 targets are achieved.

CA’s Director General, David Mugonyi, somewhat echoed his sentiments, stating that despite the progress made in the country to enhance connectivity, there is another side to the story.

“One of the disparities and inequalities is the digital divide between those who can access and participate in the digital transformation and those who cannot,” Mugonyi said.

He notes that computer usage nationally per household stands at about 10 per cent, while internet usage is currently at 23 per cent. “These numbers need to change, and that demands intent, investment, and strategy.”

The USF was established in 2009 with a vision to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of geography, income, or circumstance, have access to quality communications services.

CA operationalised the Fund in 2014 and began implementing projects in 2017/18. Over the last seven years to date, the initiative has availed mobile connectivity to an additional nearly 800,000 people spread across 156 sub-locations in 24 Counties.

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Further, in collaboration with the ICT Authority, the Fund is said to be supporting the Digital Superhighway by deploying 2,500km of fibre across 19 unserved and underserved Counties at a cost of Sh5 billion.

“So far, about 2,100 kilometres of fibre have been laid,” the Authority said.

Through the Fund, the Authority says, it is also supporting the establishment of 47 Centres of Excellence in 47 Counties and 1,450 ICT hubs in every Ward in Kenya, partnering with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority to a tune of Sh2.8 billion.

“We are also leveraging the extensive infrastructure of the Kenya Power to enhance last-mile fibre optic access to 3,800 public offices and institutions to a tune of Sh5 billion.”