During his presidential term, which began in April 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta, the outgoing president, succeeded in revealing Kenya’s potential on the international digital and technological scene. For the next 5 years, his successor wants to do even better.
The new President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto (photo), elected on August 9, 2022, believes in the catalytic power of technology for local development. To this end, he has planned various projects that will help accelerate and materialize the digital transformation of the country initiated by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Head of State announces for the next five years the construction of a 100,000 km fiber optic network throughout the national territory. It will ensure the universal availability of broadband. According to him, Kenya’s national fiber optic network is about 9,000 km, and he also plans to increase the rate of digitization of public services and automation of critical government processes to 80%.
He says broadband and digitalization will play a critical role “ in enabling us to make huge strides across the four pillars of health, agriculture, MSMEs and finance, as well as improving the revenue collection through the automation of VAT systems ”. Concerned about the impact of digital technology on job creation and the fight against poverty, William Ruto also announces the reduction in the cost of Internet access to allow young people to connect more to learn, get information and do Business.
A regional center for Africa is planned to promote software development for export. Similarly, reports We Are Tech Africa , the new president intends to develop the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry to make it a leading export and job creation sector.
He further affirmed that ” the administration will strengthen Konza Technopolis to bring together industry, academic institutions and other innovators to co-invest in emerging technologies and create high-quality jobs that build on the artificial intelligence, robotics and other technologies, and thus improve our regional and global competitiveness ”.
The main aim of this set of investments announced by William Ruto is to make Kenya a reference in terms of digital transformation in Africa by 2027. A transformation that will guarantee the country real human, economic and social development.
The investments supporting this ambitious vision are estimated at 40 billion shillings ($334 million). The money will be drawn from the telecommunications universal service fund. Administered by the Communications Authority, the fund is made up of taxes levied on licensees, government appropriations, and grants and donations.