Kenya and Ethiopia have committed to increasing digital connectivity and access between the two countries.

In a joint statement on Thursday, June 5, 2025, the two countries announced a commitment to complete the cross-border fibre optic connectivity, aiming to increase access to digital jobs and emerging technologies.

This is following a bilateral engagement between the two countries led by Ethiopian Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide and the State Department for Investment and Assets Management Principal Secretary (PS) Cyrell Odede Wagunda, convened under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

“The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Kenya committed to completing the cross-border fibre optic connectivity, improving cross-border digital services, and enhancing access to digital jobs and emerging technology,” read the statement in part.

Speaking during the opening, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu stated that digital transformation is critical for both countries.

“Currently, only 23% of the Mandera Triangle has reliable internet access. Our fibre optic backbone from Isiolo through Mandera to Djibouti is projected to achieve 89% coverage by 2028, creating 15,000 digital economy jobs and adding 340 million dollars to our regional GDP,” he stated.

Furthermore, the two countries agreed to operationalise the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Rhamu and the Trade Facilitation Centre at Suftu to enhance seamless trade between Ethiopia and Kenya by reducing border-crossing times, lowering transport costs, and making regional goods more competitive in international markets.

Electricity 

This comes a day after Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Daniel Kiptoo announced that Kenya is set to import an additional 200 megawatts of electricity from Ethiopia in the coming month to bridge a power deficit.

Speaking at the launch of the EPRA research and innovation conference in Nairobi on June 4, 2025, 

 Kiptoo stated that a technical team has been dispatched to Ethiopia to negotiate the terms of the expanded power purchase agreement.

Kenya’s installed electricity capacity stands at 3,243 MW, with an effective capacity of 3,030 MW.

However, as of February 2025, the available capacity was 2,320 MW, barely exceeding the highest peak demand of 2,316 MW recorded in the same month.

“The small margin between peak demand and available capacity has seen the Ministry of Energy intensifying the push to lift the three-year moratorium on onboarding new independent power producers,” he stated.