Nairobi’s technology innovation centre, the iHub, has officially become home to a new African office for the global body representing mobile operators worldwide, the GSMA.

The GSMA in a statement released today says it plans to use the Kenyan office to work more closely with its members and other industry stakeholders to “extend the reach and socio-economic benefits of mobile throughout Africa.”

The GSMA says it unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators across more than 220 countries. In addtion, handset makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies are also involved with the GSMA.

Meanwhile, Nairobi’s iHub is an open space for the technologists, investors, tech companies and hackers in the area.

And the GSMA cites strong growth in the mobile phone space in Africa as one of the reasons for it opening its Nairobi office at the iHub.

According to GSMA’s Wireless Intelligence data, total mobile connections in Sub-Saharan Africa passed the 500 million mark in the first quarter of 2013, increasing by about 20% year-on-year. Moreover, connections are forecast to grow by a further 50%, or 250 million connections, over the next five years.

“It is an exciting time to launch our new office in Africa, as the region is an increasingly vibrant and critical market for the mobile industry, representing over 10% of the global market,” said Anne Bouverot, director general of the GSMA, in a press statement.

“The rapid pace of mobile adoption has delivered an explosion of innovation and huge economic benefits in the region, directly contributing $32 billion to the Sub-Saharan African economy, or 4.4% of GDP. With necessary spectrum allocations and transparent regulation, the mobile industry could also fuel the creation of 14.9 million new jobs in the region between 2015 and 2020.”

Erik Hersman, co-founder of Nairobi’s iHub, says in a blog post that while the GSMA have now officially opened a new office at the facility, the global body’s relationship with the Kenyan tech innovation centre stretches back a few years.

“Back in 2010 when the iHub first opened, we had some of their (GSMA) staff who were in Kenya working out of the iHub and using the space for different meetings. They loved the vibe and makeup of the Kenyan tech community and wanted to figure out how they could connect and be a part of this same energetic space, while at the same time fulfilling their obligation to Africa’s mobile operators,” says Hersman.

“The main office for the GSMA is in London, and their times in Nairobi coincided with their internal strategy discussions on opening up offices in each continent. Today they are opening up their Africa office, which is on the first floor of the iHub building (Bishop Magua Centre), on Ngong Road,” Hersman adds.