Nairobi, Kenya – During the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa's Mission in Kenya, Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the impact of the Department of Commerce's African strategy and highlighted numerous statements and trade agreements that will strengthen bilateral trade ties.
The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy announced a Joint Declaration on the use of Artificial Intelligence, data flow facilitation, and digital education empowerment.
Secretary Raimondo announced and underscored U.S. private sector commitments and public-private partnerships during an event at the AmCham East Africa Business Summit in Nairobi this week, where she led members of the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
Secretary Raimondo also announced two Department of Commerce initiatives, including collaboration with African partners on data protection and a training program for African digital leaders, separately funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Commerce Bureau.
Raimondo announced a joint statement on the use of Artificial Intelligence, data flow facilitation, and digital education empowerment with Minister Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and Digital Economy of Kenya.
I chose Kenya for my first official trip to Africa due to the strength of our relationship and because there are many other things our two nations can do together," Secretary Raimondo stated. "I brought with me members of the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa and representatives from the U.S. private sector to connect directly with Kenyan and African business leaders on the ground and demonstrate our commitment through actions announced via new and expanded programs in Africa. The Biden administration is fully committed to Africa, and U.S. companies that participated in this trip share that same conviction and optimism about opportunities in Kenya and the continent."
Together, delegates participating in the mission announced numerous U.S. investments, creating educational and job opportunities and expanding access to critical internet infrastructure for communities in Nairobi, Kenya, and across the African continent.
The U.S. Department of Commerce will collaborate with African partners on data protection. The U.S. Department of Commerce is committed to providing training and capacity building with African partners, focusing on data transfers, cloud use, implementation cooperation, and the newly established Global Rules Forum on Cross-Border Privacy. Starting this year, these initiatives will be tailored to the needs of African data privacy regulators, aiming to enhance skills, share knowledge, and empower African data privacy experts to establish interoperable data protection frameworks benefiting both Africa and the international community.
The U.S. Department of Commerce, through the NTIA, will fund a training program for African digital leaders. Following Vice President Harris's call to increase inclusivity in the tech sector and supporting key pillars of the Women's Digital Economy Initiative, NTIA will provide funding and work with the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) to facilitate digital transformation with Africa, empowering and developing the next generation of female technology leaders and entrepreneurs on the continent. The training program for African digital leaders will begin this year in Washington, DC, with a follow-up event in Silicon Valley, focusing on training, networking, and mentorship with U.S. tech industry leaders. The training aims to develop skills, share knowledge, and empower African women leaders in digital technology.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will fund a feasibility study to assess the possibility of developing a continental backbone network connecting the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts in Africa. USTDA's grant to Kenyan company CSquared will also assess the feasibility of establishing metropolitan fiber networks in cities or centers along the backbone and creating fiber links from metropolitan networks to towers, buildings, and homes. The countries through which the backbone will pass, and which will be evaluated by the study, are Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. USTDA approved funding for this feasibility study in April 2024, and the study will be conducted among U.S. companies.
USTDA will fund a feasibility study to assess the commercial and technical feasibility of distributing new fiber and tower infrastructures along the Kenyan Meter Gauge Railway. USTDA's grant recipient, Wilken Group, will build an open-access broadband optical network and a series of 5G-capable towers along approximately 1,172 kilometers of railway between the cities of Mombasa and Malaba. USTDA approved funding for this feasibility study in early March 2024, and the study will be conducted among U.S. companies.
Baylis Emerging Markets announced investments in private equity in fiber networks and semiconductor manufacturing. Baylis, in partnership with a technical partner, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wilken Group to arrange financing and development of a 1,200 km optical network, with cell towers, along the railway from Malaba to Mombasa, offering new digital connectivity along this vital corridor connecting the port city of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi. Baylis also signed an MOU with Semiconductors Technologies Limited (STL) in Kenya announcing the launch of a fundraising initiative up to $250 million to expand STL's existing semiconductor factory and research lab, introducing chip manufacturing capacity in Africa, mitigating risks, and diversifying the global supply chain.
The National Basketball Triple Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator announced support for Africa's tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by providing them with access to mentorship and capital to help drive growth in sports and creative sectors. The accelerator is open to early-stage startups in Africa developing solutions in event and ticketing management, youth development, AI, and digital marketing. Ten selected startups will be paired with mentors including NBA Africa leadership and other business stakeholders, providing guidance to companies with a focus on product development, business growth, and market launch strategy.
Rendeavour announced plans to expand a high-speed fiber network in surrounding local communities to Tatu City, including Ruiru, the sixth-fastest-growing city in Africa. Tatu City's new high-speed internet business, called Fahari Link, will serve hundreds of thousands of people earning a daily wage of $2-4, offering low connection rates, daily internet plans since many cannot afford a monthly plan, and high-level customer service and technical support.
CISCO announced the launch of its first Cybersecurity Technology Experience Center on the African continent. The Experience Center is part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) initiative in Kenya and, in collaboration with the Kenya Information and Communications Technology Authority and the University of Nairobi, will provide cybersecurity training and awareness, including courses from the Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world's longest-running IT skills programs. It is designed to be a cybersecurity training center and a showcase for cutting-edge solutions. In addition to cybersecurity training, the center's operating team will also help organizations create architectural designs and proof-of-concepts and conduct lab testing. The Experience Center will use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality to equip government officials and the community with the skills and knowledge needed to detect, prevent, and respond effectively to cyber threats.
Pfizer launched its "Living With" app to reduce stigma and increase women's capacity to learn about cancer, treatments, and ultimately living with cancer. This was originally announced during Vice President Harris's Africa trip in 2023, and today marks the official app launch. Pfizer has selected three countries to test the app in Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria – and has developed versions in both English and Swahili.
Qualcomm announced Echorich Solutions Limited as the recipient of Qualcomm Wireless Reach 2023 Social Impact Fund, aiming to provide support and resources to the awarded startup, enabling it to further advance its innovative initiatives. Qualcomm also announced its second group of 10 startups for Qualcomm's 2024 "Make it in Africa" program, selected from about 250 candidates across Africa.
Texas-based company AST SpaceMobile, Inc. announced it has begun testing its low Earth orbit satellite constellation to provide cellular broadband services in Kenya. These are the company's first tests in Africa, and the second region tested outside the United States. AST SpaceMobile aims to bridge the global connectivity gap and digitally transform nations by offering accessible 5G broadband services from space for everyday smartphone use.
Informational Note:
- Gina Raimondo: Current Secretary of Commerce of the United States.
- AmCham East Africa: American Chamber of Commerce for East Africa.
- NTIA: National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
- USTDA: U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
- NBA Africa Startup Accelerator: NBA's startup accelerator in Africa.
- Fahari Link: New high-speed internet service at Tatu City.
- Cisco Country Digital Acceleration (CDA): Cisco's initiative for country digitalization.
- Qualcomm Wireless Reach: Qualcomm's wireless access program.
- AST SpaceMobile: Space company providing broadband services from space.
Glossary
- PAC-DBIA: President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
- AI: Artificial Intelligence.
- NTIA: National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
- USA: United States of America.
- ICT: Information and Communication Technology.
- MOU: Memorandum of Understanding.
- STL: Semiconductors Technologies Limited.
- NBA: National Basketball Association.
- 5G: 5th Generation technology.
- CDA: Country Digital Acceleration.
