ICT ministry launches a 10-year digital masterplan

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has launched a 10 -year Kenya National Digital Masterplan.

The plan is meant to provide a proper guideline for the country on ICT deployments and investments.

It was launched on Tuesday by the ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru after opening a four-day Connected Kenya 2022 summit event at Leisure Lodge Hotel in Ukunda, Kwale county.

The Connected Kenya Summit is a leading ICT leadership forum that brings together industry players from the private and public sectors and academia.

The summit was attended by at least 1,000 regional and global ICT industry key stakeholders with this year’s theme focusing on accelerating digital transformation

Mucheru said stakeholders should take advantage of the summit to brainstorm on ways to improve national development through ICT.

The summit is expected to offer room for a vibrant discussion on matters of digital infrastructure, services, skills, cyber security and emerging technologies.

The CS said the digital masterplan is designed to provide an elaborated framework on the conveyance of ICT infrastructure and services.

“This masterplan will outline a structured roadmap on the delivery of ICT infrastructure and services as well as development of ICT skills,” he said.

Mucheru said it will assist both external and local investors in choosing proper investment priorities.

He said the government is keen on accelerating the digital transformation of the country as ICT plays a key role in the economic development globally.

The CS said the masterplan has put forward 19 flagship projects, which the national government will prioritise to accelerate national digital transformation.

He said some of the projects include the reduction of a digital divide to spur economic growth in the rural areas.

Mucheru said the masterplan also proposes deployment of 100,000kms of fibre optic infrastructure to 40,000 schools and other learning institutions.

He said the second goal is to accelerate the automation and digitisation of government key services to act as a one-stop shop for all government core services.

The ICT boss said the masterplan also aims to accelerate the growth of e-commerce initiatives by proposing the implementation of the National Physical Addressing System and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

It will also create employment opportunities for the youth and spur local manufacturing and growth of the small-scale and medium entrepreneurs.

The masterplan proposes the establishment of two software and electronic manufacturing factories aimed at employing more than 10,000 software engines.

It also aims to allow citizens and public servants to efficiently make use of the technology in their businesses and work.

“The masterplan recommends digital literacy capacity building for every Kenyan. We will start with 20 million citizens including training of 300,000 public servants and building adequate technical support through training of 10,000 ICT professionals,” Mucheru said.

The CS said the masterplan seeks to position the country as a regional ICT hub and submarine cables maintenance depot.

He said the digital plan is also focused on developing the e-waste management programmes.

The ICT boss said on matters of promoting data cloud services, the master plan proposes the accelerated implementation of Konza Technopolis.

Also, data protection legislation as well as promoting local innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses.

It also seeks to assemble enough resources for the impactful implementation of the flagship projects. 

This will be done by enacting government legislation in line with the structured partnership with private sectors and development partners.

ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng applauded the summit saying that it comes at a time when the government has made significant steps in spearheading the use of ICT to strengthen public service delivery.

He said the ICT sector is crucial in boosting the national socio-economic growth.

“The industry has the potential to radically transform every sector of our economy through innovation and digitisation,” Ochieng said.

Konza City CEO John Tanui said about 72 per cent of the Konza Technopolis is completed.

He said the completion of the Konza city will provide multiple employment opportunities and enable innovations.

The Konza project will cost more than Sh1.2 trillion.

The 11th connected summit is expected to end on Thursday evening.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)