Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya
There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” As the continent works to bridge the digital divide and improve access to connectivity and digital tools, one truth remains: no single organisation can achieve meaningful and sustainable digital transformation alone.
Collaboration is the foundation of progress
From a continental perspective, there is still much work to be done to provide even basic connectivity in many rural and remote regions. With population density and available budget always considerations, technology companies alone can’t reach every community. That’s where partnerships are key.
In Kenya, these collaborations take many forms, including public-private partnerships. When technology companies, governments, NGOs, and development partners align their goals and resources, the results can be transformative. For example, when Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) worked with UNICEF to connect schools in Kenya to the internet, both the connectivity and funding gaps were addressed – Liquid built the digital infrastructure, while UNICEF ensured long-term affordability for schools.
Beyond technology: holistic partnerships for development
Many successful partnerships extend beyond the obvious players in the digital ecosystem. For instance, laying fibre-optic cables isn’t purely a technology exercise; it also involves civil works and local construction expertise. By collaborating with construction companies, technology companies enhance connectivity while creating local employment opportunities.
Similarly, device partnerships also help to address the digital divide. Our collaboration with Raspberry Pi, which brings their affordable computing devices to Kenyan schools, complements connectivity rollouts by ensuring learners have the tools to access the internet. Likewise, our partnership with Epson combined infrastructure deployment with the donation of printers to schools, making teaching easier and learning more accessible.
While many young Africans hold formal qualifications, they often struggle to secure employment due to a lack of digital skills or practical experience. That’s why partnerships that focus on skills development create some of the most significant impact. They equip young people with digital skills that bridge knowledge gaps and enhance their employability. When paired with the expansion of digital infrastructure, this unlocks new economic opportunities and accelerates inclusive growth.
A framework for effective partnerships
Effective partnerships share three attributes:
- Outputs – They deliver tangible, measurable results.
- Longevity – Their lifespan extends beyond initial launch phases.
- Sustainability – Projects are integrated into national systems or generate revenue streams to sustain their impact.
Often, we see pilot projects launched with fanfare, only to fizzle out when funding dries up. True transformation needs initiatives that sustain themselves. This includes support of programmes like the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, where public-private partnerships have the potential to make a significant contribution to focus areas such as connectivity, regulation, skills development, and digitisation of government services.
These examples show that when it comes to selecting the right partners, it’s about more than just ticking boxes. It needs a clear understanding of the issue being addressed, a careful evaluation of a partner’s reputation and capacity, and strong alignment with project goals. Each organisation brings not just resources, but its brand and legacy to the table. Due diligence, clarity, and mutual respect underpin lasting, impactful partnerships.
Collaborations must benefit all parties, which means they must also be commercially viable. With a bit of foresight, this is possible. For example, instead of laying kilometres of labour- and cost-intensive fibre for a single school, using existing infrastructure enables technology companies to extend services to multiple nearby schools. The result? Maximising both social returns and financial efficiency. This strategic approach ensures that investments remain viable and multiple recipients benefit from the investment.
Joining forces for a digital future
Each country, community, and location needs a tailored approach to infrastructure, device access, skills development, and digital services. Partnerships enable stakeholders with a keen understanding of local requirements to combine their expertise, align objectives, share resources, and deliver sustainable, meaningful digital transformation.
