Kenya calls for integrated digital infrastructure at Global Africa Tech Summit
Date: 2026-03-28
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy,
William Kabogo Gitau, has called for a coordinated approach to building
Africa’s digital infrastructure across multiple domains to support the
continent’s transformation.
Speaking
as Chief Guest at the Global Africa Tech Summit in Algiers, Kabogo outlined a
four-layer framework for digital development encompassing land, sea, sky and
space. He said terrestrial fibre networks are critical for connecting
communities and institutions, while submarine cables enhance global
connectivity and resilience.
He
added that the expansion of 5G networks is accelerating access to high-capacity
digital services, while satellite technologies are playing a key role in
extending connectivity to remote and underserved areas.
Kabogo
emphasized the need to integrate these layers into a unified continental system
that is resilient, inclusive and capable of supporting Africa’s digital
sovereignty. He noted that achieving this vision will require coordinated
investment, aligned policy frameworks and strengthened regional collaboration.
The
Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to working with partners across
the continent to advance digital transformation and invited stakeholders to
participate in the upcoming Connected Africa Summit 2026, scheduled to take
place in Nairobi from April 27 to 30.
The
summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders and technology
stakeholders to explore strategies for advancing Africa’s digital economy and
strengthening cross-border cooperation.
