Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Kenya has officially launched its broadband mapping system under the Africa Broadband Mapping Systems (Africa-BB-Maps) initiative, a continental programme supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Union (EU).
The initiative, which spans 11 Sub-Saharan African countries, including Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, aims to harmonize broadband mapping systems across the region. The project is designed to inform policymaking, bridge connectivity gaps, and spur strategic investments in digital infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Director General David Mugonyi emphasized that the system will complement ongoing connectivity interventions, legislative reforms, and regulatory efforts aimed at accelerating spectrum allocation, promoting infrastructure sharing, and lowering the cost of connectivity.
He added that the Africa-BB-Maps system would provide the precision needed to tackle the digital divide and ensure universal connectivity, ensuring no Kenyan is left behind in the digital era. Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke described the system as a “game changer,” highlighting its role in providing data-driven insights into broadband infrastructure, coverage gaps, quality of service, and affordability.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Kenya’s digital transformation, noting that the Africa BB-Maps project, funded at €15 million, will enhance broadband connectivity to foster inclusion, opportunity, and equitable development. The launch marks the operational start of Kenya’s participation in the Africa-BB-Maps project, bringing together government, private sector, and development partners to advance digital access for all.
