Eastern Africa Plots Unified Spectrum Strategy to Boost Broadband Access
EAC and IGAD Secretariats are set to develop a joint regional roadmap to translate new commitments on spectrum management..
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Eastern Africa is planning a unified spectrum strategy to boost broadband access across the region, with the EAC and IGAD Secretariats developing a joint regional roadmap. This initiative follows a workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, where nine Eastern African countries agreed to fast-track regional spectrum harmonisation.
- Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa currently average 387 MHz of spectrum, significantly less than the global average of 574 MHz.
- Director of Emerging Technologies and AI Didier Nkurikiyimfura of the Smart Africa Secretariat emphasized that "Spectrum is not merely a technical asset; it is the oxygen of digital transformation."
- In Kenya, the Communications Authority (CA) faces challenges with underutilised rural spectrum and fragmented allocations, despite advancements in 4G and 5G frequencies.
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Nvidia Invests in African AI Data Centers as Region Faces Cyberattacks and Plans for Spectrum Unification - October 2025
Nvidia Corporation has expanded its presence in Africa's digital infrastructure market with an investment in Cassava Technologies, deepening a partnership focused on rolling out AI-ready data centers across the continent. This development occurs as Microsoft's 2025 Digital Defense Report reveals a significant surge in AI-powered cyberattacks across Africa, with the continent becoming a "proving ground" for advanced threats including deepfakes. To support digital growth, Eastern Africa is planning a unified spectrum strategy to boost broadband access. The EAC and IGAD Secretariats are developing a joint regional roadmap for this purpose. This initiative followed a workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, where nine Eastern African countries agreed to fast-track regional spectrum harmonisation.
