How digital superhighway economy measures are empowering youth and transforming communities in Kenya

At Sidindi Village, a young man, Geoffrey Odhiambo 22, who was termed to have been always lost into his somber world, joins a vibrant group of young people gathered around glowing computer screens in a newly inaugurated digital hub in the village.

Most of these youth have in the past faced limited job prospects but today, they respond to clients’ enquiries for businesses thousands of kilometres away, equipped with headsets and humming keyboards.

Some tend to ask questions to expound their knowledge around the use of computers.

This scene exemplifies a profound shift from urban streets congested with job seekers as opportunities now flow through fiber-optic cables right into one’s rural village.

All this, is as a result of Government’s move to tackle the crucial issue of unemployment, by investing strategically in the establishment of Jitume Hubs as a catalyst for creation of large scale jobs.

Through a youth empowerment programme, the Government is also funding training sessions that equip the young people with skills on how to navigate through the digital space.   

President William Ruto’s administration through the Ministry of Information Communications and the Digital Economy has placed the youth at the forefront ensuring they are equipped with digital skills.

Trainees are subsequently confident to sit in front of computer screens to actualise what they learn through the strategic training sessions.  

The enthusiastic youth are also able to tap into their favorite sub-cultures, be it in animation, gaming and content creation regardless of local availability.

The Jitume hubs provide advanced vital links to the modern workforce, training young people in core skills across digital outsourcing, software development, data analytics and multimedia production.

President Ruto launched this initiative back in the late 2023 to 2024 with the aim to connect the youth both in the rural and urban areas with an ambitious plan to establish a hub in every ward, amounting to 1,450 centres nationwide.  

The digital hubs are more than technology, as they are supported through a national programme of laying 100, 000 kilometres of fiber-optic cable and establishing 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots to bridge the digital divide, connecting citizens not just to computers, but to a world of opportunity.   

The latest launch of the hubs was when President Ruto launched the Siaya Community Digital Hub at the Bondo Township Primary School in Bondo sub-county, marking a major step in the government’s push to expand digital opportunities for young people across the country.

He called on the youth to explore opportunities in the digital economy noting that about 330,000 youth are currently engaged in online jobs, a number projected to increase to more than 1 million by next year.

President Ruto further announced the rollout of digital hubs in all 1,450 wards, with 236 constituencies already benefiting from the initiative in partnership with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).

The Head of state emphasises the government’s strategic investment in the digital economy as critical to improving livelihoods.

“Our vision is clear. To empower every young Kenyan with the skills and opportunities to thrive in the digital age.

This is not merely about infrastructure but about unlocking human potential and securing our nation’s future,” he observes.

The President’s proclamations are backed by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui as he highlights Kenya’s growing digital economy pointing at the Glovo’s Nairobi office.

CS Kinyanjui notes that Glovo Company has surpassed its earlier commitment to create 200 jobs in the country adding that Kenya is now Glovo’s fastest-growing market globally with a record annual growth of 40 percent with cities like Nakuru and Mombasa experiencing over 50 percent growth in the company’s customer orders.

President William Ruto, ICT CS William Kabogo, Broadcasting and Telecommunications  ICT PS John Tanui, ODM leader Oburu Odinga during the launch of Siaya Digital Hub at the Bondo Township Primary /AUSTIN OTIENO

President William Ruto confers with the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke, (Extreme Left), Cabinet Secretary Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo, (3rd left), ICT Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui, (Centre) in the company of the Orange Democratic Party Leader Dr. Oburu Odinga (Second Right) and other leaders from Siaya County during the launch of Siaya Community Digital Hub at the Bondo Township Primary School.

He notes that the rapid rise in grocery and supermarket deliveries demonstrates how digital platforms are transforming trade and consumer access.

The Cabinet Secretary further observes that Kenya serves presently, as Glovo’s innovation hub in Africa with local teams supporting operations beyond the continent including Spain.

He attributes this progress to continued investments in fibre connectivity, technology and digital infrastructure that have positioned Kenya among regional leaders in digital penetration.

The Government reaffirms its commitment to supporting digital trade, innovation and enterprise growth while encouraging young Kenyans to commercialise innovative ideas through stronger partnerships, funding and business development platforms.

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo, reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding digital access.

“The expansion of community digital hubs is a cornerstone of our broader digital transformation agenda.

We are equipping our youth with practical ICT skills, connecting them to global markets and turning the promise of a digitally empowered generation into reality,” Kabogo affirms.

In efforts to reinforce this vision, the Ministry had on March 10 to 12, 2026 convened a workshop in Nairobi for over 70 public sector officials, focused on strengthening data governance to support evidence-based decision making across the public sector.

Recognising data as a vital national asset, the workshop emphasised its role in fueling innovation, inclusive growth and improved public service delivery.

“We must ensure that the enormous data we generate, collect and store becomes an engine of inclusive growth, innovation and improved public service delivery,” the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui reaffirmed.

In Siaya, President Ruto officially launched the country’s first AI-powered Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre in a community digital hub, developed in partnership with Huawei and Konza Technopolis called the ‘Siaya model.’

So far, the model has trained 20 local youth to handle global customer service using AI tools, empowering them to earn a livelihood without leaving their community.

With 290 hubs operational and over 400,000 young people nationwide benefiting, this model exemplifies the government’s BETA agenda to transform every ward into a digital workforce hub.

Across Kenya’s digital hubs, young people are transitioning from traditional manual labor to “soft jobs” centered on knowledge, creativity and communication, ranging from freelance writing and social media management to cybersecurity and networking.

Many acquire internationally recognized credentials like the Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA), validating their expertise globally changing lives by enabling hundreds of thousands of young Kenyans to build sustainable careers from their home communities, linking local talent to global digital markets.

In places like Sidindi village, youth are moving into coding, digital marketing and AI-powered customer service roles, often supported by global certifications transforming a lifeline of anxiety into the power of global careers.

With over 330,000 young Kenyans including Odhiambo earning income through these initiatives, it is evident that the Digital Superhighway is reshaping communities from within.

Digital hubs, are a vehicle for economic resilience, connecting local talent to worldwide markets and positioning Kenya’s greatest export as its digital intelligence.