The Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Maureen Mbaka presided over the Standard Chartered Bank launch of women in Technology Cohort 5 Incubator Program.
The program, which is an initiative of Standard Chartered in partnership with Strathmore University’s @iBizAfrica Incubation Centre, CAS, aims at championing for more diversity in technology and opportunities for development of entrepreneurial skills and leadership excellence.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Mbaka said the initiative will boost the advancement of women in the global trends and markets and spur them to greater heights of business.
“Such programs encourage the use of global trends in boosting the success in business ventures and I call upon a dialogue between key stakeholders and the government to ensure that we achieve this goal,” said Mbaka.
She mentioned that the Programme will focus on immersive learning, mentorship and growing Africa’s next iconic start-up businesses.
Mbaka noted that women led businesses were critical in promoting Small and Medium Enterprises adding that they created an estimated 70% of jobs and at least 40% towards the general economic growth of the country.
She said that the government was committed to ensuring that Kenya was at the forefront in the growth of industrial revolution.
“To achieve The Big Four Agenda, technology is and continues to be indispensable as it is a key enabler of social economic growth as stated in our economic development blueprint for vision 2030,” said Mbaka.
She further noted that the government was focused on the development of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector by ensuring that various policies such as the National ICT policy and the Data Protection Act were implemented.
“We also aim to invest in reliable ICT infrastructure through the National Optic Fibre Backbone infrastructure program that has seen over 9000km of fibre cables laid across 47 counties,” added Mbaka.
She emphasized that in order to ensure diversity in technology, all stakeholders must foster gender equality to build a more inclusive digital world.
By Catherine Muindi and Manu Mumba
