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The Government of Kenya, through its Ministry of Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy and the ICT Authority, is advancing plans to install a high-capacity fibre optic cable along the Isiolo–Mandera corridor. This initiative is part of the broader Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), which is funded by the World Bank. The project aims to enhance digital connectivity not only within Kenya’s northern regions but also by establishing cross-border links to Ethiopia and Somalia, fostering regional digital integration and improved access for underserved communities.
As an essential step toward realising this vision, the ICT Authority has launched an Early Market Engagement (EME) process. This non-binding consultation invites suppliers, contractors, service providers, and other industry stakeholders to contribute insights on the upcoming procurement opportunities, technical requirements, and delivery strategies. The engagement seeks to ensure a competitive, transparent procurement process that encourages innovation and delivers value for money. The planned procurement spans the installation of backbone fibre optic infrastructure, cross-border connectivity with Ethiopia and Somalia, last-mile fibre installations, public WiFi in critical public institutions, networking equipment supply, and supportive civil works including solar power to enhance network resilience.
The HoAGDP, approved in 2020 with $750 million in financing from the World Bank, extends beyond digital connectivity. It encompasses the upgrading of the 740-kilometre Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor to bitumen standards, aimed at improving the movement of people, goods, and trade facilitation across Kenya’s North Eastern region. The digital infrastructure, including the fibre optic cable running alongside this corridor, is expected to directly benefit over 3.2 million residents by improving access to social services, internet connectivity, and economic opportunities.
In recent bilateral discussions under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kenya and Ethiopia reaffirmed their commitment to completing the cross-border fibre optic connection as part of this project. They emphasized enhancing digital services, including access to digital jobs and emerging technologies, as integral to socio-economic development and trade facilitation. Both countries have also been working collaboratively on complementary infrastructure projects to boost connectivity and quality of life in border regions, such as road constructions and access improvements in clean water, healthcare, and education.
Set against a backdrop of strategic regional cooperation, the HoAGDP also seeks to strengthen cross-border infrastructure more broadly. Alongside the fibre optic installation, the project includes the construction of physical infrastructures like bridges over the River Dawa to facilitate trade and movement between Kenya and Ethiopia. This comprehensive approach aims to unlock economic potential, improve regional mobility, and integrate digital and transport networks to foster sustainable development and economic resilience in the Horn of Africa.
The project is scheduled for completion by June 2028 and represents a significant step toward transforming the digital and physical infrastructure landscape of the region. By inviting diverse industry stakeholders to contribute during the early tendering phase, the Kenyan government hopes to shape a robust digital ecosystem that supports innovation, connectivity, and regional economic integration.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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