The Kenyan government has announced plans to expand its fiber-optic network by 44,000km, aiming to improve internet access, connect public institutions, and help young people participate in the digital economy. This expansion is part of the government's Digital Superhighway programme, which targets 100,000km of national fiber infrastructure. The programme consists of two projects: a 17,000-kilometer fiber project targeting public institutions and an additional 27,000km of backbone, middle-mile, and cross-border infrastructure.
The 17,000km government-led project focuses on public institutions such as schools, health facilities, and government offices, which could support online learning, digital health services, and access to government platforms in areas with scarce reliable internet. The remaining 27,000km covers backbone, middle-mile, and cross-border infrastructure, expected to receive support through KES 13 billion in government investment in private-sector development. This investment provides approximately KES 481,000 per kilometer.
According to the 2022 Digital Master Plan, Kenya had over 8,900km of fiber across backbone, metro, and last-mile networks. Adding 44,000km to the existing network would result in approximately 52,900km, nearly six times the earlier figure. The National Broadband Strategy 2025 – 2030 sets a target of 100,000km, with the current fiber infrastructure estimated at 40,000km. If the planned expansion is completed, it would increase the network to about 84,000km, leaving roughly 16,000km short of the goal.
Mobile internet already reaches most Kenyans, with 64.3 million mobile data subscriptions reported by June 2026, up about 9.7% from the previous year. Data usage grew much faster, indicating heavier use of online services and faster networks. Coverage is steady, with 4G at roughly 97-98% of the population and 5G at about 30%. Fiber connections rose to about 1.57 million, a small base that highlights the need for backbone expansion to provide connections to households.
The government is linking infrastructure investment to opportunities in content creation, digital marketing, online entrepreneurship, and other technology-driven industries. ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui encouraged young people to approach content creation professionally, comply with platform rules, and develop sustainable careers. The global digital-creation industry is estimated at approximately $500 billion, with Africa accounting for about $3 billion and Kenya's market estimated at $1 billion.
However, infrastructure alone cannot guarantee jobs or income. Young people still need relevant skills, affordable devices, reliable electricity, and access to platforms that pay for their work. Competition, changing platform policies, and cybersecurity risks also affect the sustainability of online careers. The existing digital divide in Kenya shows that expanding the network is only part of the solution.
The latest household evidence shows a wide divide, with 61.6% of households having an internet user, but the share is 81.9% in urban areas against 48.8% in rural ones. Fixed internet reached 17.3% of urban households versus 0.6% of rural ones. Electricity access is 92.7% in urban households and 49.2% in rural ones. The test is how many people can afford and reliably use the network, not how many kilometers are announced.
Key points
- The Kenyan government plans to invest KES 13 billion in private-sector development to support the expansion of 27,000km of backbone, middle-mile, and cross-border infrastructure.
- The expansion aims to connect public institutions and improve internet access, with a target of 100,000km of national fiber infrastructure under the Digital Superhighway programme.
- The existing digital divide in Kenya shows that expanding the network is only part of the solution, and young people need relevant skills, affordable devices, and reliable electricity to benefit from the digital economy.
