MINISTER, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS
Nations the world over have recognized the developmental opportunities as well as the challenges brought about by the fast-paced information age whose hallmark is information and communication technologies (ICTs). Evidence from developed countries has shown that ICTs can play a dramatic role in enhancing economic and social development by acting as a production sector for economic growth and an enabler for social development. ICT applications have enabled these countries make gigantic improvements in both productivity and quality in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, public administration, and services such as finance, trade, distribution, marketing, education and health. The decisions and actions we take about the use of ICT will be critical in determining which road we go down as a nation in our fight against poverty. The old debate, about choosing between ICTs and other development imperatives, has shifted from one of trade-offs to one of integrating the two approaches in order to harness the benefits of sustainable economic and social development.

Kenya’s National ICT Policy (2005) and ICT Strategy for Economic Growth (2006) are the start of a journey that represents our nation’s vision in the information age. The preparation of the two documents was guided by the aspirations set out in Kenya’s key socio-economic development framework documents including: The Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth Creation and Employment, 2003-2007; Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper; 2001; Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2005 on Development of Micro and Small Enterprises for Wealth and Employment Creation for Poverty Reduction. The development of this ICT Strategy for Economic Growth is a result of wide consultations involving all key stakeholders in the public sector, private sector and civil society.

Kenya has reached a point when she must shift from depending on an agricultural base which is characterized by a relatively weak industrial foundation and embrace a knowledge economy. The imminent upgrading of the ICT sector in Kenya through the formulation of a National ICT Policy and Strategy is significant because it has the potential and prospects to generate additional jobs and employment opportunities for a growing youthful population. In setting out the direction, the policy lays emphasis on the development, deployment and exploitation of ICTs to aid the development of other sectors of the economy. It also provides a basis for facilitating the socio-economic development of the country in a globalization era, dominated by information and knowledge-based economies.

In developing the ICT Strategy for Economic Growth, the Government recognizes the broad challenges involved in living in an information age and knowledge economy, and in harnessing the potential of ICTs for economic growth and poverty reduction. Faced with these realities, the Strategy is based on four guiding principles, namely: infrastructure development, human resource development, stakeholder participation and appropriate policy and regulatory framework.

The Government recognizes that skills and knowledge underpin Kenya’s goal of becoming a knowledge economy and that the economic future and the strength of our communities will depend on the extent of investments in the development of human capital. In this regard, the development of the right balance of ICT skills and knowledge that are anchored in collaborative partnerships between the government and all stakeholders in transforming a shared vision into reality through programs and policy response is now a national imperative. The Government is set to play a crucial role not only in assisting local companies benefit from existing and arising market opportunities, but also more importantly in fostering the necessary ICT infrastructure development and regulatory framework.

The Government’s key objective is to transform the Kenyan economy through ICTs by promoting and facilitating the private sector to serve as the driver for economic development through innovation in the ICT sector. Another long-term commitment is to have Kenya develop into a globally competitive ICT outsourcing destination as well as a base for the development, production and sale of information, knowledge, and technology products and services. To achieve these objectives, the Government will collaborate with all stakeholders in maintaining a favorable climate for investment in ICT manufacturing and services as well as Foreign Direct Investment.

Hon. Samuel Poghisio, MP
Minister for Information and Communications