Kenya has been selected as the host nation for a new Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) as part of a collaborative pilot project launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union.
The announcement was made at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025, where the ITU unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering digital ecosystems across Africa. The OSPO, a key component of the Open Source Ecosystem Enabler (OSEE) project, will serve as a hub for supporting open-source software development and fostering digital capacity building within the region and globally.
In addition to the OSPO announcement, the ITU highlighted a EUR 15 million broadband mapping project for African nations, backed by the EU, and a partnership with Germany’s GIZ and Foreign Office to develop a digital public infrastructure roadmap for Kenya.
Furthering its commitment to digital innovation, the ITU also launched the fourth ATU Africa Innovation Challenge and introduced the second cohort of its Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme, which garnered significant global interest with nearly 7,000 applications from 185 countries.
The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 featured discussions on critical topics such as enhancing women’s participation in digital development and empowering youth to shape technology policy.
Looking ahead, the next regional meeting is scheduled to take place in the Kyrgyz Republic later this month, preceding the WTDC-25 global summit to be held in Azerbaijan in November. These initiatives underscore the ITU’s commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative digital transformation worldwide.
