Kenya and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have entered an agreement aimed at upskilling, data governance, e-government delivery and promotion of digital jobs and businesses.
This deal seeks to equip workers with the necessary digital skills, break down data silos, automate government services and foster growth of digital jobs and businesses.
UNDP Kenya resident representative Anthony Ngororano said the move is aligned with the ambition to accelerate inclusive digital transformation in the country.
“By addressing the challenges related to digital skills, data management and access to digital jobs, we can unlock the full potential of Kenya's digital economy and bridge the existing digital divide between the public and private sector, further addressing gender divide," Ngororano said.
According to a 2021 study, titled Kenya's Digital Economy: A People's Perspective, only 35 per cent of women use advanced digital services compared to 54 per cent of men.
The huge gap was attributed to discrimination, harmful social norms, education divide, geography and lack of motivation.
Ngororano said it is through such partnerships, that the divide will be narrowed.
“Kenya has emerged as a leader in digital transformation on the African continent, with its digital economy contributing an impressive 7.7 per cent to the country’s GDP, surpassing other nations such as Morocco and South Africa.”
Data by Accenture’s Africa iGDP forecasts that by 2025, the country’s digital sector will add Sh1.4 trillion, or an equivalent 9.24 per cent of GDP.
However, to achieve this, the report suggests that the country needs to address the still-prevailing challenge of a widening digital divide.
ICT CS Eliud Owalo welcomed the partnership saying it would enable the establishment of an ecosystem that effectively supports the country’s National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP's assistant administrator and regional director for Africa, said Kenya and Africa at large have a transformative potential of the digital public infrastructure.
