High-speed internet nationwide, enabled digital economy growth, supported M-Pesa and tech startup ecosystem
National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI)
National fibre optic network connecting all 47 county capitals to high-speed internet backbone.
AnnouncedJanuary 1, 2007
StartedJune 1, 2007
Expected CompletionDecember 31, 2009
CompletedJune 1, 2009
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 20,000,000,000KES
Timeline
Phase 1 Construction Begins
NOFBI Phase 1 construction commenced, laying 4,300km of fibre optic cable
Phase 1 Completed
4,300km fibre backbone connecting major towns became operational
Phase 2 (All Counties Connected)
NOFBI Phase 2 completed, connecting all 47 county headquarters
Contractors
Huawei Technologies
Main Contractor (Phase 1)Supplied and installed fibre optic equipment for NOFBI Phase 1
Politicians Involved
Mwai Kibaki
President of KenyaInitiated the NOFBI project as part of Kenya's ICT strategy
Samuel Poghisio
Minister for Information and CommunicationsOversaw the implementation of NOFBI
Benefits
Description
The National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) is a government-owned fibre optic cable network connecting all 47 county headquarters to high-speed internet. Phase 1 (completed 2009) laid 4,300km of cable connecting major towns. Phase 2 extended the network to reach all county capitals. The project is managed by the ICT Authority and provides wholesale bandwidth to telecoms operators, ISPs, and government institutions. It complements the undersea cables (TEAMS, SEACOM, EASSy, LION2, DARE) landing at Mombasa.
Overview
Foundation of Kenya's digital economy, enabling affordable internet access and positioning Kenya as a regional technology and BPO hub.