Kenya’s flagship smart city, Konza Technopolis, has earned international recognition after the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy won the Smart Gigacity Excellence Award at the World Broadband Association (WBBA) Broadband Excellence Awards 2026.
The award was announced on October 14, 2026, at VIECON in Vienna, Austria, recognising Kenya’s progress in developing a technology-driven urban centre that integrates digital connectivity, intelligent infrastructure and sustainable urban services.
Developed by the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA), Konza Technopolis is emerging as a model for gigabit-enabled urban development, bringing together high-speed connectivity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and smart infrastructure to improve efficiency and support sustainable, people-centred urban living.
Under the leadership of TDA Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri, the project continues to advance Kenya’s vision of building a modern, innovation-driven city capable of attracting investment, supporting technology enterprises and creating opportunities for future generations.
At the centre of Konza’s smart city ecosystem is a 79-kilometre fibre backbone, supported by 141 smart poles and an artificial intelligence-powered Intelligent Operations Centre. The systems enable real-time monitoring of city operations and provide a technological foundation for the delivery of more efficient urban services.
The city’s digital infrastructure is complemented by the Konza National Data Centre, automated waste collection, water reclamation facilities and smart energy systems. Together, these investments demonstrate how technology and environmental sustainability can be integrated into urban planning and management.
The award was received by Amb. Valerie Rugene, Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenya Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna, on behalf of Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui, CBS, and the Government and people of Kenya.
The recognition highlights the contribution of the national government, TDA, development partners, engineers and innovators working to turn Konza into a leading technology and innovation hub.
It also reinforces Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a continental leader in digital transformation by investing in infrastructure that supports innovation, enterprise development and sustainable economic growth.
Konza Technopolis, widely associated with Kenya’s Silicon Savannah vision, is intended to provide an environment where technology companies, research institutions, entrepreneurs and investors can collaborate and develop solutions with local and international impact.
The Smart Gigacity Excellence Award provides international visibility for the project and underscores the importance of continued investment in reliable digital infrastructure, smart public services and sustainable urban development.
As Konza advances, its focus remains on attracting investment, accelerating innovation and demonstrating how the integration of technology, infrastructure and human ingenuity can help shape the cities of the future.
The recognition is therefore not only a milestone for Konza Technopolis but also an affirmation of Kenya’s broader commitment to building a connected, competitive and sustainable digital economy.