The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) will invest KSh1.57 billion (US$14.4 million) to expand access to telecom services in 101 new localities in 17 marginalized counties.
As part of the strategy included in Phase 2 of the Universal Service Fund (USF), contracts have been awarded to Safaricom PLC, Airtel Networks Kenya Ltd, American Towers Company (ATC), Seal Towers Limited and Alan Dick & Company Ltd.
“The deployment of services in the selected sub-locations will facilitate residents of beneficiary sub-locations to enjoy a host of services, including mobile voice, data, Internet and a bouquet of other value-added services, including mobile money,” said Mr. Ngene Gituku, Chairman of the CA Board of Directors. The five selected companies have 24 months to complete their missions.
Phase 1 of the Universal Service Fund was launched in 2018 and was expected to cover 78 communities in 15 counties. Only 74 were covered. “With the additional 101-sub locations earmarked in the second phase, the Authority intends to narrow the gap of those unserved and under-served areas in Kenya by the year 2022,” recalled Mercy Wanjau, the CA Director-General.
In 2020, Kenya has made the development of its telecom network a priority. The government wants to halt 2G throughout the country to allow people to experience broadband, which is considered the bedrock of the digital economy.
Muriel Edjo
Lebara Group is now bringing its affordable and reliable mobile services to Africa, starting with Ni...
• Gates Foundation commits $1.6 billion over five years to Gavi.• Bill Gates warns of rising ch...
Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...
In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...
• Maritime sector faces renewed risks amid military tensions in the Middle East• Blockade fears at S...
• South Sudan initiates a $58 million, four-year project to transform basic education nationwide.• The program aims to directly benefit over 300,000...
• Cape Verde reclassified as an upper-middle-income country due to a 16.8% rise in GNI per capita.• Namibia downgraded to lower-middle-income after a...
• Ivory Coast grants two new four-year gold exploration permits to Global Industries Sarl and Rampage Exploration Sarl.• National gold production reached...
• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from 166.5 million in 2024/2025.• China’s coffee demand...
The Gerewol tradition is a fascinating ritual celebrated by the Bororo Fulani, a nomadic community primarily located in Chad and Niger. This annual...
In northern Ethiopia, in the Tigray region, lies Axum (also spelled Aksum), an ancient city that once stood at the heart of one of Africa’s most powerful...