konza- Kenya set to enhance capacity to handle digital economy

Kenya is set to enhance its capacity to handle the digital economy by supporting data, voice, video, services, systems and applications following the unveiling of a new data centre at the Konza Technopolis.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru says the new temporary data centre will further enhance the country’s attractiveness for multinationals as a preferred regional data service hub.

Despite the continent’s data centre capacity doubling over the past three years, Africa currently only accounts for less than one per cent of total available global data centre capacity, according to data from Xalam Analytics, this even as the continent continues being home to about 17 percent of the world’s population.

To this end, the government is targeting to lower data costs and accessibility as demand for data services increase.

Speaking at the Konza Technopolis during a tour of the new temporary data centre with a capacity to handle core functions of a smart city, ICT Cabinet Secretary said the new centre will greatly enhance the country’s ICT capacity.

Mucheru says the project that includes a National Cloud Data Centre, Smart ICT Network, Public Safe City and Smart Traffic Solution, and a Government Cloud and Enterprise Service will give the country a head start among its peers.

The Kenyan market is currently served by Safaricom, Liquid Telecom, MTN business, as well as other regional players, often face competition from multinationals who are able to outprice them.