World Bank to Offer $390 Million to Boost Kenya’s Plan for 25,000 Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

Kenya is set to undergo a digital revolution as the country has received a massive boost from the World Bank Group to fund the first phase of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project. The project aims to establish 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots across the country to expand access to high-speed internet, digitize government services, and improve access to education. This is a significant step forward for Kenya, which has long sought to position itself as a tech hub for Africa.

The free Wi-Fi hotspots will be set up in business centres, rural areas, and other public spaces to offer internet services to innovators, youth, and entrepreneurs. The move is expected to reduce the cost of internet by up to 60% and boost access to high-speed internet to 100%. This will be a game-changer for Kenya, as cheap and fast internet can bridge the digital divide and offer more access to jobs, trade, education, and social inclusion.

In recent years, Kenya has become an attractive destination for tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, who have used the country as their launch pad for a bigger stake in Africa’s market. The digital transformation plan will position Kenya as a leader in the tech industry, as the internet becomes more integral to the economy and commerce.

Last year, the Kenyan government began piloting their ambitious plan to establish Wi-Fi hotspots across the country by installing them in popular public places like the City Market and Wakulima Market located in the central business district of Nairobi. The success of this pilot project has paved the way for the establishment of Wi-Fi hotspots in various other parts of the country, offering a plethora of benefits such as promoting e-commerce in rural areas.

At the end of last year, the Kenyan government launched a pilot project aimed at establishing Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. The project’s initial phase entailed the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots in popular public places, such as the City Market and Wakulima Market located in Nairobi’s central business district. The success of the pilot phase has prompted the government to roll out Wi-Fi hotspots in other parts of the country, providing a wider range of benefits to its citizens, including the facilitation of e-commerce in rural areas.

The World Bank Group’s $390 million investment in the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project is a significant step towards a digital future for Kenya. The project is also expected to mobilise a further $100 million from the private sector for broadband infrastructure development. Kenya’s digital transformation will be a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, improved service delivery, and increased resilience.

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