The government has announced that it has started local manufacturing of fiber optic cables to expand internet connectivity and enable citizens to access opportunities in the digital space.

Speaking on Thursday, information, communications, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the initiative is part of government efforts to achieve a target of 100,000 km of national fiber optic cable network.

“We have embarked on local fiber optic cable manufacturing. We now have the first and only fiber optic cable manufacturing firm in Kenya,” Owalo said.

On his part, State Department for Information and Communications Technology and Digital Economy, Principal Secretary (PS) John Tanui, emphasized the importance of quality, affordable, and accessible fiber optic cables in Kenya’s quest to attain the 100,000 km target of the national fiber network.

Further, he said the government-contracted firm has already delivered over 12,000 km of fiber optic cables to various firms in the East African country.

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“It has also exported about 30 percent of its fiber cables to over 10 countries in Africa.”

According to the communication authority, Kenya has about 51 million internet subscriptions, with about 70 percent accessed through mobile phones.