The Kenyan government is inviting suppliers and service providers to support a major fibre broadband rollout, part of a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
In a statement, the ICT Authority of Kenya said it is spearheading the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP), which will see US$750 million invested in deploying high-capacity fibre optic cables along the 748-kilometre Isiolo-Mandera Regional Road Corridor. The World Bank estimates the total cost of the project at around US$896 million.
The Authority has issued a call for expressions of interest from suppliers, contractors, and service providers to participate in a non-binding pre-engagement process for upcoming tenders. Interested parties must register by July 16.
The project goes beyond backbone infrastructure; it will also involve the deployment of last-mile fibre, installation of public Wi-Fi hotspots in schools and hospitals, and the use of solar panels to power connectivity in remote areas.
