CA faces KES12billion financing hole to successfully implement new Universal Service Fund Strategy

By Steve UMIDHA

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) faces a Kes12billion financing gap to successfully implement the new Universal Service Fund (USF) strategy for 2023 through 2027, which requires a total of KES 40.037 billion for a period of 5 years to fully execute.

As a result, CA Tuesday urged its stakeholders to help bridge the deficit if it is to meet its USF mandate – which is to bridge the digital divide, stating that it can only raise Kes 28 billion.

“We simply cannot do this alone. We must work hand in hand to unlock the transformative potential of digital connectivity. We must pool our resources, share our insights, and align our efforts to deliver impact where it matters most,” said David Mugonyi – the CA Director General during the fund’s strategic launch.

USF was birthed in 2009 but was operationalised in 2014, and CA began implementing related – projects in 2017/18 to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of geography, income, or circumstance, have access to quality communications services.

CA targets to increase broadband coverage and usage in unserved and underserved communities in a process that it says would cost the authority a whopping Sh29 Billion and about Sh4.6billion for digital empowerment for Women, Youths, Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and other vulnerable groups.

USF further seeks to ensure that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services are available and accessible to the widest number of people, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities, and inexpensively.

This is achieved by supporting the rollout of ICT infrastructure and services in rural and remote areas, and by promoting capacity building and innovation in the ICT sector.

“As such, the successful implementation of this strategy requires close collaboration and engagement with all the key stakeholders, particularly on sustainability and impact.

In addition, we are keen on strengthening our institutional capacity through adopting new and innovative ways of implementing our projects to deliver the universal access mandate,” said Chairperson, Board of Directors, Communications Authority of Kenya, Mary Mungai.