President William Ruto has emphasized Africa’s dedication to creating a borderless digital marketplace, highlighting connectivity as a fundamental catalyst for innovation, commerce, and economic advancement throughout the continent.
Addressing attendees at the ongoing Connected Africa Summit 2026 in Nairobi, the President stated that Africa’s digital strategy is fundamentally focused on market integration and technological utilization to create opportunities for the continent’s 1.5 billion inhabitants.
“Our work to connect Africa is built on establishing a unified and borderless digital market to drive innovation, commerce, and economic expansion,” President Ruto stated.
The President highlighted Kenya’s pioneering role in digital advancement, noting substantial investments in digital infrastructure, workforce training, and regulatory reforms. Key objectives include expanding fiber optic broadband by 100,000 kilometers, developing a significant pool of digital talent, and implementing legislation to foster digital economic growth.
The Head of State disclosed that Kenya has digitized approximately 30,000 government services, a dramatic increase from just 320 three years prior. This transformation, he explained, has substantially improved operational efficiency, minimized personal interactions in service provision, and boosted government revenue collection.
Furthermore, the nation has deployed 34,000 kilometers of fiber optic connectivity via the national electricity grid and is establishing 1,450 digital centers across all local administrative units to narrow the digital gap and ensure universal access to online services.
The President made these comments after hosting African ICT ministers at State House in Nairobi, where they engaged in high-level talks about accelerating continental connectivity. The meeting aligns with the broader summit objectives of enhancing collaboration among African countries.
At the State House working breakfast, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo stressed the significance of regional partnerships in realizing a fully interconnected Africa.
Kabogo mentioned that the assembly included ministers, deputy ministers, principal secretaries, and delegation heads from various nations, including participants from Malawi, Uganda, Liberia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Angola, Algeria, Guinea, The Gambia, Congo Brazzaville, and a special contingent from Chad.
He characterized the summit as a vital forum for advancing Africa’s collective vision of a unified digital marketplace, pointing out that improved connectivity will open new economic avenues and promote broad-based development.
“Collectively, we are constructing One Africa, One Digital Market, and One Connected Future,” Kabogo declared.
The Connected Africa Summit 2026, now taking place in Nairobi, has gathered policymakers, industry figures, and innovators to discuss approaches for accelerating digital transformation and ensuring that no area is excluded from the digital evolution.
As deliberations progress, leaders anticipate presenting concrete frameworks to reinforce cross-border digital infrastructure, align policies, and encourage technological investmentmeasures considered essential in establishing Africa as a formidable participant in the global digital economy.