Affordability and digital literacy key to connectivity in Kenya, says PS Tanui
State Department of ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng John Tanui.
Significant gaps in affordability and digital literacy continue to limit the full potential of connectivity in Kenya, the government has said, even as it commits to enhancing digital skills for youth.
These challenges are part of the government’s broader strategy to equip citizens with digital skills and expand participation in the country’s digital economy.
Speaking during a roundtable at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain — where Huawei is a partner and one of the main sponsors — ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui emphasised the need to tailor digital skills to maximise the benefits of connectivity, such as income generation.
“Access and affordability gaps remain,” said Mr Tanui. “But we must not neglect digital skills and tailor those (digital) skills to expand the benefits of connectivity, such as income generation.”
He noted that digital skills are becoming essential for employability, underpinning nearly every job saying that “the majority of all future jobs (are) likely to require some level of digital skills”.
Tanui highlighted the government’s focus on partnerships with the private sector to train youth and create jobs. He cited initiatives such as the Digital Literacy Programme in schools and connectivity projects like Tech4All DigiSchool, which targets students with special educational needs, as key strategies.
His remarks come amid findings from the recently released Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) 2024 report, which reveals that mobile users in Kenya drop off at each stage of the journey to mobile internet use, with a significant urban-rural divide.
The GSMA data shows that mobile phone ownership in Kenya is notably higher than the average, both in urban and rural areas, reflecting strong mobile penetration. This could be attributed to factors such as affordable mobile phones, widespread network coverage, and high demand for mobile connectivity.
However, the report highlights a gap between mobile internet awareness and adoption, particularly in rural areas. While awareness is high in both urban and rural regions, adoption lags significantly in rural communities. This suggests that barriers such as high data costs, low digital literacy, and limited access to internet-enabled devices are preventing many from fully utilising mobile internet services.
Additionally, the report underscores a clear divide between urban and rural areas in terms of daily mobile internet usage and the diversity of online activities. This disparity highlights ongoing digital inequalities, with rural populations having less access to and engagement with mobile internet services compared to their urban counterparts.