en.Wedoany.com Reported - The European Union has announced an investment of €102 million (approximately $116.7 million) in Kenya's digital transformation and connectivity projects, of which around €37 million ($42.3 million) will be used to expand the Blue-Raman submarine cable system to connect Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The decision was formally presented during a meeting between the EU and Kenyan President William Ruto at the EU-Kenya Digital Dialogue held in Brussels earlier this month.
In addition to the submarine cable, the EU plans to allocate €10 million (approximately $11.4 million) to support the Kenya Digital Transformation Centre, which aims to promote the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and foster a policy environment conducive to digital trade and investment, thereby driving innovation, skills development, and job growth. The dialogue also discussed expanding cooperation to include the national fiber optic network, with the EU committing €15 million (approximately $17.1 million) for this purpose.
Kenya currently operates seven submarine cables, with two more expected to be added between 2026 and 2027. The local data center market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.27%, with an estimated market size of $805 million by 2031, underscoring the growing need for robust connectivity infrastructure. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, stated that Kenya is a dynamic and strategically important partner for the EU, and both sides agreed to deepen cooperation to create jobs, drive innovation, and support sustainable growth. President Ruto expressed gratitude for the €102 million investment, stating that it will accelerate digital transformation and bring opportunities to Kenya's youth and businesses. Additionally, the EU and Kenya are exploring the establishment of AI factories and exchange programs to expand access to AI and data infrastructure for universities and enterprises.
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