Technology of the future must involve people, technology, partnerships, infrastructure, and innovation.
The Deputy President of the republic of Kenya has officially opened the #ConnectedAfrica Summit2026 setting a strong tone for the continent’s digital future with a call for accelerated investment in infrastructure, innovation, and inclusive growth.
In his keynote address, Proffessor Kithure Kindiki highlighted Kenya’s deliberate and sustained push toward becoming a leading digital economy, underpinning the large-scale national initiatives and strategic public-private partnerships.
“At the center of this transformation is the Digital Superhighway Initiative, which aims to expand Kenya’s fiber optic network by an additional 100,000 kilometers, building on the existing footprint to enhance nationwide connectivity,” he said. Adding, “This effort is complemented by the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, which is rolling out over 1,450 ICT hubs equipped with digital tools across the country, alongside the deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots to bridge access gaps.”
The further noted that beyond infrastructure, the government continues to invest heavily in digital skills development, targeting thousands of young people annually through structured training programs, while strengthening education systems to align with a digital-first economy.
The Deputy President further underscored progress in digital public services, noting the expansion of citizen-centric platforms that enable seamless access to government services, enhance transparency, and improve service delivery. These systems have significantly streamlined transactions while boosting efficiency across public institutions.
Importantly, these advancements are translating into real economic impact. The expansion of connectivity, digital platforms, and innovation ecosystems has contributed to the creation of over 300,000 jobs in recent years, with projections pointing to millions more as digital adoption deepens.
Looking beyond national borders, Kenya is actively championing regional digital integration, working with neighboring countries to build a more connected and interoperable digital economy. Initiatives focused on cross-border infrastructure, data flows, and digital trade are aligned with broader continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, reinforcing the need to eliminate “digital islands” across Africa.
The Deputy President emphasized that Africa’s digital future must be built on five key pillars: people, technology, partnerships, infrastructure, and innovation. He noted, “While technology will be the primary driver, people must remain at the center to ensure inclusion across youth, women, and underserved communities.”
He also called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, acknowledging that governments alone cannot meet the financial and human capital demands required to fully unlock Africa’s digital potential.
As the summit gets underway, stakeholders like Vilcom Networks and beyond are expected to translate these ambitions into actionable outcomes focusing on connectivity expansion, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable digital growth.
