On July 23, 2013, at a high profile event in Nairobi attended by the US Ambassador, Kenya became only the second country in Africa to launch an elaborate National Broadband Strategy (NBS). They did so with support from the US Government, and in particular with technical assistance provided from USAID’s Global Broadband and Innovations (GBI) Program.

US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Robert F. Godec, referred to the launch as a key milestone in achieving the goals of Kenya’s national Vision 2030 program, and ensuring that all Kenyans are provided access to the Internet. The NBS was developed by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology (MoIC) in collaboration with the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), and with technical assistance from GBI.

Budgeted at US$ 2.4 billion, the NBS will guide several key projects and the institutional and regulatory reforms needed to maximize the benefits of broadband. Seventy percent of the budgeted funds are targeted at national infrastructure, while the remainder will be used for capacity building and content development.

The NBS was drafted during a high-level national workshop hosted by CCK during October 2012. The event took place during a week-long retreat in Naivasha, which was attended by a team of 50 public and private leaders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications in Kenya. GBI consultants Muriuki Mureithi and David Townsend also attended the event. Over the course of eight months, GBI provided technical assistance to complete an internal work plan, propose strategic objectives, plan the NBS development process, and suggest ideas for future projects.

Integra is very pleased to have been a part of this process, and congratulates the Government of Kenya on the NBS launch. Through the end of 2013, GBI will continue to support CCK as they develop their universal service fund and pilot project options.