4th KDEAP Stakeholder Engagement as Kenya Advances Fibre Rollout and Digital Connectivity
ICT Authority Hosts the 4th KDEAP Stakeholder Engagement as Kenya Advances Fibre Rollout and Digital Connectivity
Nairobi, Kenya 28th November 2025
The ICT Authority today convened the 4th stakeholder engagement meeting under the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), bringing together industry stakeholders to review and refine the Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM), a vital step as Kenya gears up for expanded fibre-optic infrastructure and enhanced national connectivity.
At the opening of the session, Thomas Bwaley, Director of Programs and Standards at ICTA, underscored the magnitude and complexity of connecting thousands of institutions including schools, government offices, and public facilities across the country. He emphasized the urgent need for clear incentives and full industry engagement to ensure that the upcoming rollout under KDEAP achieves its intended reach and impact.
The CTM, once finalized, will provide the guiding commercial and procurement framework through which public financing will be matched with private sector investment, a model that aims to accelerate broadband deployment, especially in underserved and rural areas.
Representing the funding partner, World Bank, Tim Kelly, Lead Digital Specialist, highlighted the importance of transparency, fair competition, and safeguards in the procurement process, especially given the scale of fibre infrastructure investment anticipated across the country. He emphasized that the process must remain inclusive and market-friendly, ensuring broad participation from operators and vendors.
The concern for balanced and open competition reflects KDEAP’s design principles: to crowd in private investment and complement public financing. As envisioned, CTM will help unlock private capital to supplement the public funding envelope.
Also speaking at the meeting, Aneliya Muller, World Bank Task Team Lead, underscored the changing global fiscal context. She reminded stakeholders that with limited public financing, private investment must play a central role. In that light, KDEAP’s model is carefully constructed to strengthen business cases for reaching underserved areas, while adhering to open-access principles and environmental standards — ensuring sustainable, inclusive digital growth.
The review of the CTM comes at a critical juncture for KDEAP’s infrastructure agenda. According to KDEAP’s Component 1, Digital Infrastructure & Access pillar seeks to expand the national broadband backbone and drive last-mile connectivity to government offices, educational institutions, health facilities, and rural communities.
Under KDEAP’s multi-phase approach, the government aims to mobilize public funds backed by the World Bank alongside private sector capital to build and sustain fiber infrastructure.
With improved broadband infrastructure, Kenya targets expanded access for citizens, enhanced public service delivery, and accelerated adoption of digital government services.
As the stakeholder engagement drew to a close, ICTA expressed appreciation for the candid feedback from all participants including private operators, industry experts, and development partners. Their insights will be critical in finalizing the CTM ahead of the next phase of the KDEAP rollout, ensuring that the procurement process is fair, transparent, efficient, and aligned with national digital goals.
With the CTM finalized, ICTA and its partners will prioritise fibre routes, operationalize investment models, and mobilize both public and private resources. The next phase will mark a significant step toward realizing Kenya’s ambition of equitable, reliable internet access and positioning the country as a regional digital connectivity hub.
Why This Matters for Kenya’s Digital Future
- The CTM establishes a clear, transparent, and competitive investment framework, essential for mobilizing private capital alongside public funds.
- By enabling expanded fibre infrastructure and last-mile connectivity under KDEAP, Kenya will unlock wider broadband access, bridging the digital divide.
- The inclusive, open-access approach signals to investors and service providers that opportunities exist across urban and rural areas — creating incentives for infrastructure development and expansion.
- As broadband becomes more available, public institutions, education facilities, and communities stand to benefit from improved digital services, e-government, education delivery, and economic opportunities.
The 4th stakeholder engagement marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s digital transformation journey under KDEAP. As CTM nears completion and the fibre rollout begins in earnest, the foundation is being laid for a connected, inclusive, and prosperous digital future for all Kenyans.