Kenya is set to release a million locally assembled smartphones, a move intended to bridge digital divide gap.

Eliud Owalo, ICT cabinet secretary, revealed the plans on Wednesday, as he officiated at an event marking the Kenya ICT week 2023 in Nairobi.

As calls to fast track programs to bridge the digital gap in Africa intensify, Owalo said Kenya will within two months release the phones.

Governments across the continent are stepping up with multiple initiatives aimed at accelerating smartphone access, especially within the prepaid market.

For Kenya, the smartphones are already being assembled smartphones at the Konza technopolis.

The Konza Technopolis - also known as the African Silicon Savannah - is a technology hub situated in Malili, Machakos County.

According to Owalo, the smartphone project at the tech hub will enable ease access to affordable smartphones, enhancing Kenya’s digital inclusion drive.

“Based on feasibility studies undertaken, we can locally assemble smartphones at a unit cost of about $40. We’ve partnered with the private sector to ensure in the next two months, we can roll out our first consignment of low-cost smartphones,” Owalo said.