Digital economy blueprint

5.3.5.4 Technology Spread

From Kenya’s experience, the availability of reliable 

and affordable digital infrastructure increases the de-

mand for technology and associated smart devices. 

This leads to technology spread across the country, 

which is key towards increasing the country’s connec-

tivity index and uptake of internet and digital services 

from government and the private sector. Examples of 

government services include Huduma

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 , ecitizen, etc.

5.3.5.5 Smart Cities

Smart cities are key drivers of a digital economy in 

that they create huge demands for technologies, inno-

vations, smart intelligent devices, connectivity, dig-

ital services and digital infrastructure that otherwise 

would have been difficult to achieve from households 

and individual firms.

The smart cities also play a critical role on the sup-

ply side for a digital economy. They supply skills, re-

search and development, innovations, digital technol-

ogies and digital infrastructure e.g. data centres, smart 

mobility and logistics that are requisite for running a 

digital economy.

Kenya invested in undersea cables in 2009 and has 

upgraded most of its grid into smart grid. In the same 

year, the government conceptualized Konza Technop-

olis, a smart city which was to house the country’s 

Business Process Outsourcing industry and utilize the 

fiber capacity to position the country as a global des-

tination for outsourcing. This created a domino effect 

that has seen various smart cities sprouting e.g. Tatu 

City, Tilisi etc.