PP # 2- Digital access

If you’re looking for a real-world case of how a country is navigating the digital age with both promise and pitfalls, then Kenya is a fascinating study. In this post I’ll walk you through how Kenya is doing on availability and affordability of tech devices, who’s driving digital innovation, and how geography and financial status are shaping both positively and negatively the digital infrastructure flip-over.

Are technological devices available and affordable to Kenyan citizens?

Availability:

• On the device front, Kenya has made big strides. Mobile phone penetration is very high: one report noted mobile cellular subscriptions exceed 100% in Kenya.

• But when we dig into computers / household access, things look more modest. A recent estimate: just ~ 10.7% of Kenyan households have a computer urban vs rural disparities are large.

Affordability:

• Mobile phones are more affordable than PCs or laptops. However, affordability of reliable internet access remains a concern. For example, one source points out that many Kenyans fear they will be locked out of services due to internet cost.

Kenya is doing well where mobile penetration is concerned (which is hugely important), but when it comes to devices that enable more advanced digital participation , affordability and availability still lag—especially outside major cities. The “mobile-first” story is real, but a full digital inclusion story remains a work in progress.

Link to website

Whose innovations are leading: government or corporations?

Government Role:

• The Kenyan government has set out ambitious digital strategy documents. For example, the Digital Masterplan 2020-2030 was developed to revolutionize ICT with four pillars: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Services & Data Management, Digital Skills, Digital Innovation & Business.

• The government also affirmed commitment to building a digital public infrastructure including identity, payments, data exchange, platforms.

It’s not an either/or: it’s a hybrid. The government is providing the framework, infrastructure investment and strategy, while corporations/startups are delivering many of the usable services and devices. This kind of public-private synergy is encouraging, though the risk is that inequalities will persist if affordability, device access, rural rollout etc are not fully addressed.

Link to website

Does geography or financial status impede or enhance infrastructure modernization?

Geography:

• Kenya’s geography includes densely-populated urban centre (e.g., Nairobi) as well as remote rural, arid and semi-arid regions (especially in northern Kenya). Infrastructure deployment is naturally easier in urban, accessible areas. The rural/remote regions lag in device access: e.g., some counties have computer access as low as ~1.1%.

Both geography and financial status are impeding factors right now. While the government’s infrastructure plans are strong and comprehensive, the practical challenge of reaching remote areas and lower-income households means there will be lag time and risk of leaving gaps. On the flip side, Kenya’s strategic location (as East Africa’s tech hub) and governmental commitment mean the potential is strong — the modernization of infrastructure can be enhanced if well implemented.

Link to website

Final thoughts 

Kenya is one of the more advanced cases in Africa when it comes to digital access and infrastructure modernization — especially relative to many peers. The government’s forward-looking plans, the strong mobile penetration, and a growing innovation ecosystem all bode well.  However, the story is far from complete. The availability of smartphones is one thing, but the full embrace of digital economy is still in progress.