Written by: Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Oracle plans to launch cloud services in Kenya in the coming months.
- Kenya targets cloud adoption as a strategic priority under its 2024 Cloud Policy.
- Cloud adoption in Kenya stands at 26%, with projected economic impact rising sharply by 2033.
In this context, Oracle Corporation plans to introduce cloud services in Kenya that will allow governments, businesses and individuals to access applications and store data online through remote servers, without relying on local infrastructure.
A delegation from Oracle Corporation, led by Annick Sakho, head of government affairs for Africa, met last week with William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya’s minister of Information, Communication and Digital Economy.
The meeting forms part of broader cooperation efforts by Kenyan authorities to support ongoing digital transformation. As a result, Oracle expects to make its cloud services commercially available in the coming months.
The planned cloud infrastructure will provide end-to-end integrated capabilities to support efficient and reliable operations. It will also stimulate innovation and enable a transition beyond “software-as-a-service (SaaS)” toward more comprehensive digital solutions.
At the same time, Kenya is positioning cloud computing as a strategic priority. The government aims to use cloud adoption to drive innovation, improve service delivery and optimize resource management across public institutions and organizations. According to the “Kenya Cloud Policy” adopted in 2024, cloud computing reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs while improving efficiency and service responsiveness.
Moreover, the policy emphasizes the role of cloud technologies in accelerating innovation, strengthening data security, improving system scalability and enhancing inter-institutional collaboration. It also highlights cloud computing as a tool for international openness by facilitating cross-border data flows.
A report by Telecom Advisory Services LLC, published in September 2023, shows that cloud adoption among organizations in Kenya stands at 26%, compared with 49% in Eastern Europe and North America.
The report estimates that cloud adoption contributed 12.9 billion Kenyan shillings (about $100 million), or 0.08% of GDP, to the Kenyan economy in 2021. It projects that this contribution could reach 1,400 billion shillings by 2033, equivalent to 0.56% of GDP.
These growth prospects create opportunities for Oracle Corporation as it expands its cloud operations in Africa. The company currently operates 51 cloud regions across 26 countries, with a limited presence on the continent concentrated in South Africa.
However, Oracle plans to extend its footprint by launching new cloud regions in Morocco and Kenya, reinforcing its long-term strategy in emerging markets.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
