5G infrastructure to power seamless AFCON 2027 broadcasts
MICHELLE DIBO-PCO
Kenya is banking on a nationwide 5G upgrade to power the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), positioning the tournament as both a celebration of sporting excellence and a catalyst for the country’s digital economy.
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke said the investment will support seamless broadcasting, real-time fan engagement and long-term infrastructure development to enhance connectivity across stadiums, airports, hotels and convention centres.
Isaboke said preparations for the continental tournament extend beyond the football pitch, describing AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to accelerate digital transformation and create new opportunities for young Kenyans in content creation, broadcasting and online businesses.
The PS, who recently chaired a joint steering committee meeting bringing together key sector stakeholders to discuss telecommunications and connectivity preparedness, said the government is positioning the tournament as a turning point for the country’s digital economy.
“We are building the digital backbone that will ensure every goal, every cheer and every moment is shared in real time with the world,” Isaboke said.
He added that when Africa’s football giants arrive in Kenya, the legacy of AFCON 2027 will be measured not only by goals and trophies but also by the strength of the digital infrastructure established to serve future generations.
The government, Isaboke said, sees the tournament as a catalyst for investment in telecommunications, with the long-term goal of strengthening Kenya’s digital economy and opening new opportunities for the youth.
A key priority, Isaboke noted, is the ability of Kenya’s networks to handle the massive data volumes generated by an international sporting event, where thousands of fans, broadcasters, businesses and visitors will be connected simultaneously.
Kenya’s transition to faster mobile networks is already gathering pace, with data from the Communications Authority of Kenya showing that by June 2025, 5G population coverage had reached 30 per cent, while 4G coverage stood at 97.3 per cent.
By September 2025, 5G users were consuming an average of 40 gigabytes of data per month, compared to 14.1 gigabytes for 4G users.
He pointed out that these figures highlight the growing demand for high-speed connectivity and the urgency of building networks capable of supporting increasingly data-intensive activities.
“For AFCON 2027, 5G will enable a digitally enhanced tournament ecosystem from real-time fan engagement to seamless broadcasting and media operations.”
“By strengthening connectivity around stadiums and supporting facilities, Kenya is laying digital infrastructure that will continue to serve communities and businesses long after the final whistle,” he said.