Kenya Unveils Digital Economy Blueprint

The Kenyan government has unveiled a blueprint whose vision is “A digitally empowered citizenry, living in a digitally enabled society”, to provide a visionary framework to help Kenya realise a successful local digital economy.

President Uhuru Kenyatta officiated the launch of the Digital Economy Blueprint at the fifth Transform Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda on Tuesday, 14th May where he called on African countries to incorporate ICT in their development plans.

Through the blueprint, the government seeks to intensify the contribution of ICTs to the economy through, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, promotion of digital skills, digitizing business processes, facilitating infrastructure delivery and digital governance solutions.

Kenya is keen on tapping opportunities in the digital space and the blueprint provides the direction.

“It is our hope and wish that all the member states shall peruse this Blueprint and find value in adapting it within their own ecosystems to realize the potential of digital transformation that will leapfrog our economies to prosperous heights,” President Kenyatta said during the launch.

The blueprint defines the digital economy as “the entirety of sectors that operate using digitally-enabled communications and networks leveraging the internet, mobile and other technologies.” It further highlights how the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) or Huduma Namba is being implemented to enhance government services.

President Kenyatta in a panel discussion stated that Kenya has invested substantially in its digital network and is collaborating with organisations and industry players to ensure everyone is connected.

“Our vision is that in the next five years, every part of the country will be connected, thus allowing all citizens partake in the digital movement,” said Uhuru.

Joe Mucheru, Information Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary accompanied the President and said the government will continue to involve Kenyans in the process to ensure the realisation of a digital economy.

The blueprint is part of Kenya’s commitment in its contribution to the Smart Africa Alliance which is leveraging on technology to create a single digital market targeting 24 countries across the continent.

Featured Image Courtesy: PSCU