National Broadband Strategy 2018-2023 of Kenya

The National Broadband Strategy 2018-2023 (NBS) of Kenya is a comprehensive framework designed to transform the country into a globally competitive knowledge-based society by leveraging affordable, secure, and high-speed broadband connectivity. This strategy builds on the previous broadband strategies, incorporating recent technological advancements, market realities, and national development goals.

The vision of the NBS is to provide a secure and fast broadband infrastructure that supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda, which focuses on food security, universal healthcare, affordable housing, and manufacturing. The strategy aims to enhance digital literacy, extend broadband coverage, and ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of their location, have equitable access to broadband services.

To achieve this vision, the strategy outlines several key thematic areas:

1. Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Environment: This area focuses on creating a conducive legal and policy framework to ensure the safety, high quality of service, and affordability of broadband. It involves enacting laws and regulations that support broadband as critical infrastructure and protect consumer interests, particularly in cybersecurity and data privacy .
2. Infrastructure and Connectivity: The strategy emphasizes the need to develop robust broadband infrastructure, including the deployment of 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, extending fiber optic coverage, and ensuring last-mile connectivity. The goal is to cover 100% of the population with broadband by 2023, with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas​.
3. Services, Content, and Applications: This involves the development of relevant digital content, applications, and services to drive demand for broadband. The strategy encourages the creation of standards for services and content, fostering innovation and the development of e-health, e-education, and e-government services​.
4. Capacity Building and Innovation: To support the digital transformation, the strategy highlights the importance of building technical and user capacity through education, training, and public awareness campaigns. This includes initiatives to increase digital literacy among citizens and support for research and innovation in the ICT sector​.
5. Broadband Devices: Ensuring that citizens have access to affordable devices to utilize broadband services is a critical component of the strategy. This involves promoting local manufacturing of broadband devices and providing incentives to reduce the cost of these devices​.
6. Privacy and Security: Addressing cybersecurity concerns is essential to build trust and stimulate the uptake of broadband services. The strategy includes measures to protect data integrity and privacy, enhance cybersecurity infrastructure, and ensure the safe use of online services.
7. Finance and Investment: The strategy outlines the need for substantial investment in broadband infrastructure, which will be sourced through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and private sector investments. The government will provide an enabling environment through fiscal and regulatory incentives to attract investment.

The implementation of the NBS is coordinated by the National Broadband Council, supported by the National Communication Secretariat, which oversees the monitoring and evaluation framework. This framework includes regular updates, quarterly and annual implementation status reports, and mid-term and end-term reviews to ensure the strategy remains on track and addresses any challenges that arise​.

By focusing on these strategic areas, the NBS aims to create a robust broadband ecosystem that supports Kenya’s socio-economic development, enhances digital inclusion, and positions the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy​.