The Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032 is the latest step in a series of plans aimed at boosting economic growth through ICT. It builds on the Master Plan 2014-2017 and previous strategies dating back to 2004. The earlier plan laid out a framework with key elements like ICT human capital, integrated ICT infrastructure, and e-Government services but faced implementation challenges due to a short timeframe and resource issues.
The new Master Plan aligns with Kenya Vision 2030 and aims to transition the country to a digital economy. It focuses on four main pillars:
Digital Infrastructure: Ensuring everyone has access to national services through widespread ICT infrastructure.
Digital Government Service, Product, and Data Management: Enhancing e-Government services to improve productivity and governance.
Digital Skills: Developing a digitally skilled workforce and citizenry with a strong ethical foundation.
Digital Innovation, Enterprise, and Digital Business: Turning innovative ideas into sustainable businesses and moving businesses onto digital platforms.
GJC believes the comprehensive Kenyan Master Plan provides a helpful example of how one country has pulled together many of the components required to drive a 'digital economy'. This can be compared against other national strategies to develop a digital economy.
The strategic themes in the Kenya National Digital Master Plan are divided into two types: foundational and cross-cutting.
Foundational Themes:
Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Framework: Enhances the policies and regulations established in the previous Master Plan.
Research and Development: A new focus on grounding initiatives in knowledge and fostering partnerships with educational and research institutions.
Cross-Cutting Themes:
Information Security and Cyber Management: Addresses the increasing importance of cybersecurity as Kenya advances digitally.
Emerging Technologies: Emphasizes the need to leverage new technologies from the fourth industrial revolution for accelerated development.
The plan details situational analyses, intended outcomes, objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), strategies, and projects for each pillar and theme. It also discusses implementation, including financing, institutional frameworks, stakeholder mapping, engagement strategies, and a monitoring and evaluation framework. The Kenyan ICT Authority is proposed as the main implementing agency to ensure effective coordination and execution.
For the purposes of this discussion, the focus is upon the four pillars underpinning the strategy.
Pillar 1: Digital Infrastructure
Kenya is highly connected on the Eastern Coast of Africa, featuring six submarine cables and extensive backbone, metro, and last-mile connectivity across the country, along with various private sector networks. However, Kenya faces several challenges in its digital infrastructure:
Digital Connectivity
Kenya's connectivity is supported at the whole of country level by six submarine cables that provide global connections through redundant routing. The government holds a 20% share in one cable, utilizing a 10 Gbps capacity for government operations.
Current challenges at the infrastructure level include the absence of a comprehensive ICT infrastructure development plan. Damage to ICT infrastructure from road construction and private sector activities and insufficient broadband coverage and high connectivity costs compared to other regional states.
The government of Kenya, through the Nation Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) and the County Connectivity Project, has implemented 510 km of last mile connectivity to county headquarters. This aims to connect all counties via VoIP and internet, enhancing online services and access to critical applications like the IFMIS. By September 2021, the ICT sector, particularly mobile, saw significant growth with 64.8 million subscribers and 44.8 million mobile internet subscriptions.
Challenges in national connectivity include limited rural coverage, inadequate bandwidth, outdated infrastructure, limited intra-county connectivity, and cybercrime. Projections indicate enormous growth in connectivity needs by 2030, with households potentially requiring 2 Gbps speeds. The government's masterplan includes:
Data Centres: A Tier-2 Government Data Centre (GDC) and a National Data Centre at Konza Technopolis to protect critical data and support government services.
Universal Access to ICT Services: Through projects like the Cellular Mobile Network Infrastructure and Services Project and the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI) to enhance communication infrastructure and authenticate information systems.
National physical addressing system: To provide logistical support for economic activities and spur e-commerce.
National Building Codes Standards: To incorporate ICT services in building designs, reducing installation costs and enhancing accessibility.
Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI): To promote geospatial data sharing for better planning and decision-making.
The masterplan aims for high-speed, reliable broadband connectivity across all counties, focusing on unserved and underserved areas. It outlines objectives, strategies, and key projects to ensure secure, high-quality, and affordable digital infrastructure, along with supportive policies and guidelines.
Pillar 2: Digital Government Services, Products, and Data Management.
This pillar focuses on creating and implementing policies and procedures that improve the use of digital services and data in government. This involves using ICT to provide information and public services, streamlining workflows, managing data efficiently, and enhancing public service delivery and communication channels.
Within the E-Government Services, the Plan aims to:
Make government services more efficient and effective.
Enhance data access and protect public data.
Provide consistent, citizen-centric e-government services.
Ensure reliable, secure, and affordable connectivity nationwide.
Kenya has seen a significant uptake in e-Government services, with half of the adult population using them and most users reporting high satisfaction. Despite this success, challenges include:
Security and data protection.
Standardization of government systems.
Integration of application systems and databases.
Sustainable management of e-government portals with limited resources.
Integration across national and county governments.
Public awareness of available e-government services.
To address these challenges, Kenya has sought to align with international standards and explore public-private partnerships. It is hoped that ongoing innovation in e-government can lead to more efficient public administration, better services, and greater transparency and accountability. E-government initiatives will also support economic growth and social inclusion and enable knowledge sharing and skills development.
Transfer of innovative e-government solutions and capacity building for sustainable development focuses on the benefits that e-government brings, such as new employment opportunities, improved health and education, and reduced transaction times by making services more accessible.
The Kenyan government, through the ICT Authority, has developed a Government enterprise architecture and ICT standards. These guidelines ensure that e-government services are implemented in a way that promotes interoperability, usability, and cost-efficiency.
The Digital Government Blueprint, from Smart Africa Alliance
Kenya's ICT sector requires skilled human resources to sustain and grow its digital economy. However, the country faces a shortage of advanced digital skills, with only a few professionals equipped with high-end ICT capabilities. This issue is prevalent across Africa, and countries with excess skills can supply the region with needed talent. Despite significant investments in ICT infrastructure by the government and private sector, there has been comparatively little investment in human resources necessary for operating this infrastructure.
Challenges:
Kenya's universities and colleges do not align well with industry needs, particularly in high-end ICT skills.
The ICT sector's growth is challenged by the increasing complexity of digital applications.
To benefit from Industry 4.0 opportunities, Kenya needs more advanced IT experts.
A shortage of skilled professionals hinders achieving the Kenya Vision 2030.
Digital Inclusion:
Kenya’s population grew to 47.6 million in 2019, with 71.5% being youth.
High youth unemployment (2.6 million job seekers) necessitates job creation.
Marginalized groups (youth, women, minorities, elderly, rural communities) face digital exclusion due to access costs, skill gaps, poor connectivity, and other barriers.
Focus Skill Areas:
Basic Skills: Enable fundamental digital tasks and access to digital services.
Intermediate Skills: Support meaningful use of digital technologies for work and citizenship.
Advanced Skills: Required for ICT professionals, including emerging technologies like AI, big data, cybersecurity, IoT, and mobile app development.
Current Initiatives:
Government programs such as the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), Graduate Internships, Ajira Digital initiative, and Whitebox initiative focus on developing digital skills.
DLP has distributed devices to millions of primary school students and trained thousands of teachers.
Konza Technopolis supports innovation and skills development across Kenya.
Gaps in Human Capital Development:
Misalignment between academic programs and industry needs.
Poor manpower planning and inadequate funding.
Lack of continuous training and professional coordination.
Low ICT literacy and poor digital learning accessibility, especially in rural areas.
Key Drivers for ICT Professionals:
Demand from government and public institutions for e-Government services and automated processes.
Employment opportunities in new ICT companies and IT-enabled services.
Large firms and SMEs automating operations require skilled ICT workers.
Government's need to address technological changes and develop a competent workforce.
Pillar 3: Digital skills
The development of a skilled ICT workforce is crucial for establishing a robust and sustainable ICT sector in Kenya. Currently, the country faces a significant gap in advanced digital skills, which are essential for driving innovation and supporting a vibrant digital economy. Despite investments in ICT infrastructure, there has been a lack of corresponding investment in human capital, leading to a shortage of high-end ICT professionals. This skills gap not only hampers Kenya’s digital growth but also presents an opportunity for the country to become a regional supplier of skilled ICT professionals.
Digital Inclusion Challenges
Kenya’s growing population, particularly its youth, presents challenges in job creation, with digital exclusion disproportionately affecting marginalized groups such as women, minorities, and rural communities. Barriers like cost, lack of content, poor connectivity, and limited digital literacy contribute to this exclusion. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach to enhance digital skills and ensure broader participation in the digital economy.
Focus Areas for Skill Development
Kenya’s strategy for digital skill development is categorized into three levels:
Basic Skills: These foundational skills enable citizens to perform basic digital tasks and access digital services.
Intermediate Skills: These skills support more advanced digital interactions and job readiness, fostering engaged citizenship and productivity.
Advanced Skills: These are necessary for specialists in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and mobile app development, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Investing in these skills will enable Kenya to bridge the ICT skills gap, especially among the youth, and position the country as a leader in the digital economy.
Importance of Digital Skills
The development of digital skills is integral to creating a responsible and innovative ICT workforce, expanding job opportunities, and driving economic growth. Enhanced digital skills will also facilitate new employment models, such as remote work and virtual offices, contributing to a broader job market for digitally skilled professionals.
Initiatives
The Kenyan government has launched several initiatives to improve digital skills, including the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), the Ajira Digital initiative, and the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative. These programs aim to equip the youth with the necessary skills for the digital economy and foster innovation. Despite these efforts, there is still significant room for growth to achieve an inclusive ICT ecosystem that integrates the youth into the digital economy.
Key Drivers for ICT Skill Demand
The demand for high-end ICT professionals in Kenya is driven by several factors, including:
The need for e-Government services and automation of internal processes.
Increasing demand from public institutions and private enterprises for skilled ICT professionals.
The creation of employment opportunities in ICT, including business process outsourcing and IT-enabled services.
The need for the government to respond to technological changes and develop a competent workforce for the 21st-century digital economy.
Pillar 4: Digital Innovation, Enterprise, and Digital Business:
Public Policies to Support Innovation
Governments worldwide play a crucial role in fostering innovation by creating conducive public policies. These policies can enhance market size, increase competition, and improve the productivity of research and development (R&D). They also support technology transfer from public institutions to the private sector, as seen in the United States, where federal laws encourage cooperation between government labs and private firms.
Research and Development Support
Government spending is pivotal in supporting R&D, which can lead to broadly available technological advancements. Examples include the U.S. government's investment in agricultural research, which transformed the agricultural sector and resulted in significant economic benefits. Governments can also collaborate with private sectors on advanced R&D, particularly in high-cost or high-risk areas.
Government Innovation Centers and Hubs
Governments worldwide have established innovation centers and hubs to facilitate idea generation and technological solutions. For instance, Kenya has over 187 innovation hubs, while Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation fosters a culture of innovation in the public sector. These hubs play a critical role in enhancing national competitiveness and fostering innovation.
Public Procurement of Innovations
Governments can drive innovation by being primary customers for new technologies and services. This is evident in countries like Germany, where procurement for innovation is integrated into the national innovation strategy. Programs like Germany’s “High-tech-Strategy” and Canada’s Build-in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) exemplify how governments can encourage public entities to purchase innovative products.
Kenya's Innovation Landscape
Kenya is recognized for its innovations, particularly in financial services, and was ranked 77th globally in the 2019 Global Innovation Index. Nairobi, a key innovation hub in Africa, benefits from a robust ecosystem of research institutions, innovation funding, and supportive business environments.
Innovation Events
Kenya regularly hosts significant tech and innovation summits, providing platforms for local startups to showcase their products and attract international investment. Notable events include the Africa BFSI Innovation Summit, Afro Asia FinTech Festival, and the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA).
Innovation Hubs
Since the launch of iHub in 2010, over 60 innovation hubs have been established across Kenya, including in cities like Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. These hubs support entrepreneurs and foster collaboration across various sectors. Associations like ASSEK have been formed to collectively advocate for growth in the sector.
Start-Up Funding
Kenya is a leading destination for startup investment in Africa, with substantial funding flowing into the country. In 2020, Kenyan startups secured $266 million in funding, the highest in Africa. The government supports these efforts through various programs, including the Youth Fund and KYEOP, which provide financial assistance to startups.
Government Achievements in Promoting Innovation
The Kenyan government has made significant strides in promoting innovation, registering 1,546 innovators under the Whitebox program, training 1,800 entrepreneurs, and establishing over 180 constituency innovation hubs. Key policies supporting innovation include the National Innovation Framework, National ICT Policy of 2019, the Start-Up Bill-2020, and the 10-Year Science and Technology Parks Master Plan.
Challenges in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Despite these achievements, challenges remain, including the lack of a framework for scaling innovations, coordination issues among stakeholders, high training costs, and insufficient resources for innovation capacity building.
Summary
Kenya's experience in digital infrastructure and government services offers valuable insights for other countries due to its extensive digital connectivity, growing ICT sector, and commitment to innovation. The four pillars within the Master Plan provide a helpful starting point for other countries. They include:
Digital Infrastructure: Kenya's robust digital infrastructure includes multiple cables and a comprehensive network across the country. Despite this, challenges like insufficient broadband coverage, high connectivity costs, and damage to ICT infrastructure due to construction persist. The government has implemented projects like the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) and the County Connectivity Project to improve connectivity, especially in underserved areas. Plans for data centres and universal access to ICT services are also underway, aiming for secure, reliable, and affordable digital infrastructure.
Digital Government Services: Kenya has made significant progress in e-government, with half of the adult population using these services. The government has focused on making services more efficient, protecting public data, and ensuring nationwide connectivity. However, challenges remain in system integration, standardization, and resource management. Kenya's approach includes aligning with international standards and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance public administration, transparency, and accountability.
Digital Skills: Kenya faces a shortage of advanced digital skills, which hampers its digital growth. Despite investments in ICT infrastructure, the lack of corresponding investment in human capital is a significant issue. Kenya's strategy focuses on developing basic, intermediate, and advanced digital skills to bridge this gap. Initiatives like the Digital Literacy Programme and Ajira Digital aim to equip the youth with necessary digital skills, but gaps remain in aligning academic programs with industry needs.
Digital Innovation: Kenya is recognized for its innovation, particularly in financial services, and is a leading destination for startup investment in Africa. The country hosts numerous innovation hubs and events that foster collaboration and attract investment. The government has supported innovation through policies like the National ICT Policy and the Start-Up Bill. However, challenges such as scaling innovations, stakeholder coordination, and resource limitations persist.
Why Kenya is a Helpful Reference: Kenya's experience is a valuable reference for other countries due to its comprehensive approach to building digital infrastructure, promoting e-government, developing digital skills, and fostering innovation. Despite facing challenges, Kenya's commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth and social inclusion provides a practical model for countries aiming to enhance their digital ecosystems. Overall, the plan seeks to provide quality, accessible, affordable, reliable, and secure ICT services to make Kenya a competitive digital economy.
References:
Comments