China, Kenya work together to bring TV to remote areas

Dubbed "Access to satellite TV for 10,000 African villages", the project aims to reduce the digital divide in rural African areas by ensuring villages have access to digital television. The "digital divide" is the concept of inequality in terms of access to technology. African countries have struggled to close the digital divide and bring information and digital technology to remote areas.

The project is aimed at helping rural African families access information about the world, improve agriculture, and knowledge about science and sanitation, which will reduce poverty.

StarTimes Group was appointed to roll out the program because it is a multinational media company and content provider working in the African television broadcasting industry.

Speaking during the 800 villages project launch ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, Sun Baohong, China's ambassador to Kenya, noted that out of the 10,000 villages being helped across Africa, Kenya had the most, something that indicates the deep friendship between the two countries.

"As Kenya's long-standing friend and one of its most important development partners, China has continued to support the development of this East African country and the well-being of its people," she said.

Joe Mucheru, the cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology, said both the Chinese and Kenyan governments had elaborate structures in place to ensure the project works as it is meant to.

"The launch of this project, demonstrates the increased mutual cooperation between the two countries, aimed at promoting the socio-economic and political prosperity of our two economies," he said.