Kenya and Ericsson: A Partnership to Accelerate Connectivity

Agreement under discussion to reduce the digital divide

The Kenyan government is considering a collaboration with Swedish company Ericsson to improve connectivity in the country. This partnership could boost mobile Internet access in a country where 63.52% of the population do not yet use this technology, according to the GSMA.

A National Strategy for Telecoms Infrastructure Development

As part of its digital transformation, Kenya plans to:

• 100,000 km of fiber optics deployed across the country.
• 25,000 public Wi-Fi access points installed.
• Digital villages created in all 1,450 districts.

These initiatives aim to strengthen digital inclusion through public-private partnerships.

The Challenges of Mobile Internet Adoption

Despite these investments, access to mobile Internet remains limited by several factors:

• Lack of digital awareness and education.
• High cost of compatible devices.
• Concerns about cybersecurity and the cost of services.

Conclusion: A Key Challenge for Digital Transformation

The partnership with Ericsson could mark a decisive step in the modernization of Kenya’s digital sector. However, to ensure widespread adoption of the mobile Internet, the government will need to back up these technical advances with awareness-raising, accessibility and training policies tailored to the population.