Mawingu Foundation, together with American Tower Corporation (ATC) Kenya, has launched a three-year Digital Communities initiative that will transform access to digital opportunities in underserved parts of Kenya. This partnership marks an important step in bridging the gap for rural and peri-urban communities that have long been left behind in the digital economy.
The programme began with a pilot of 10 sites, including Tenri Vocational Training Centre in Embu County, which was officially launched last month. Seven sites have already been handed over, while three will be launched once schools reopen from holiday. Beyond Tenri, the pilot includes centres such as Mirera Vocational Training Centre in Naivasha, Nkubu Mixed Secondary School in Meru, Kakamega Township Secondary School and Matende Girls Secondary School in Kakamega, Uhuru Vocational Training Centre in Isiolo, Kimanjo Sub-County Hospital, Lamuria Sub-County Hospital, Likii Special Needs School and Nanyuki Vocational Training Centre in Laikipia.
Each Digital Community hub is designed to bring life-changing opportunities closer to the people who need them most. They will provide reliable internet connectivity, digital resources to support teaching and learning, and tailored programmes that meet the needs of both young people and adults. Young learners will gain access to digital literacy training that opens doors to education and job prospects, while adults will benefit from vocational and financial training that supports entrepreneurship and career development. The hubs will also support connected healthcare services, expanding access to essential medical information and resources.
The impact of the first phase of this initiative is projected to reach more than 50,000 people directly, with the potential to touch countless others across the wider communities. As Farouk Ramji, Chief Executive Officer of Mawingu, explained, “Closing the digital divide must start where the gap is widest — at the heart of rural and peri-urban communities. Our partnership with ATC Kenya enables us to combine digital infrastructure with community-based programmes that create real, lasting impact.”
This partnership builds on ATC Kenya’s Digital Communities programme, which has been leveraging infrastructure to deliver social and digital services in areas that have traditionally been underserved. George Odenyo, Chief Executive Officer of ATC Kenya, echoed the importance of this collaboration, saying: “By combining our infrastructure with Mawingu’s on-the-ground expertise, we are strengthening access to essential digital tools and services, ensuring more people can participate in the opportunities of the digital economy.”
The urgency behind this work is clear. Today, only one in ten households in Kenya has access to affordable internet. Across Africa, the ratio is even lower, with just one in twenty-five households connected. This initiative is designed to change that narrative by creating scalable, community-focused solutions that ensure connectivity becomes a driver of equality rather than a marker of privilege.
Over the next three years, Mawingu Foundation and ATC Kenya will expand the model across Kenya, setting up multiple hubs that serve as engines of connection, learning, and growth. By integrating infrastructure, skills development, and local partnerships, the two organisations are working to create a more inclusive digital future — one where every community has the tools and opportunities to thrive.
