• Kenya plans to deploy 100,000 km of fiber by 2032 to ensure nationwide broadband access.
• The current phase covers 940 km under the Horn of Africa Growth and Development Project.
• The network will connect schools, government institutions, health centers, homes, and businesses.

Kenya is advancing its national digital transformation strategy with a large-scale fiber optic deployment backed by the World Bank. The government aims to install 100,000 kilometers of fiber infrastructure by 2032 to provide high-speed broadband coverage across the country.

As part of this initiative, the government has launched the deployment of 940 kilometers of fiber optic cables to improve national connectivity. The announcement was made by John Tanui, Principal Secretary for Digital Economy and ICT, following a project briefing with a World Bank delegation.

The infrastructure rollout is being carried out under the Horn of Africa Growth and Development Project (HoAGDP). It includes 740 kilometers along the Isiolo-Mandera corridor and 200 kilometers within urban areas and last-mile connections to key public institutions. The target counties include Isiolo, Meru, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera — all located in Kenya’s northeastern border regions with Ethiopia and Somalia.

The broader national plan envisions connecting 40,000 schools, 20,000 government institutions, and 13,000 healthcare centers, in addition to homes, businesses, and rural hubs. This aligns with the World Bank’s April 2023 commitment of $390 million toward Kenya’s digital economy acceleration project, which includes the fiber infrastructure component.

Government officials view the initiative as a key driver of social inclusion and infrastructure modernization. It is expected to reduce the digital divide, enhance business continuity, and ensure access to essential services among underserved and remote populations.

However, no specific timeline has been disclosed for the fiber deployment under the HoAGDP framework. Moreover, authorities have not provided clarity on the current progress toward the 100,000 km target. Experts caution that infrastructure alone will not guarantee the adoption of high-speed services; additional factors such as smartphone access, service affordability, and digital literacy will play critical roles in determining the project’s impact.