Government Focuses on E-Commerce to Promote Digitalization

E-commerce is one of the areas the government will focus on as part of the Big Four Agenda to create a single digital market that will allow Kenya to grow as a digital hub in Africa.
Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said through E-commerce the government will be able to look at the logistic, financial services, identification and address of its citizens with a view of creating better services and economic growth for all.
Mr. Mucheru said he was happy that many people were signing up for HudumaNamba, a system he said aid the country make huge savings and enhance transparency.
“The government is modernizing ICT infrastructure, digitizing and improving our networks across the country at national and county levels for efficiency,” said the CS.
He observed that through Huduma Namba people will use the digital services whose results will create a massive market for all information technology businesses which will continue to grow and expand significantly.
He said President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment to technology and digitizing Kenya can even be seen in the activities the country is involved in across Africa such as the Continental Free Trade Area and the Smart Africa Alliance.
“Kenya is in the forefront with Rwanda, driving the Smart Africa Alliance with 24 countries, covering 600 million Africans. I hope before the end of the year we should cross the one billion mark,” said Mucheru.
He at the same time noted sharing of wealth among countries will see countries grow economically and socially thereby ensuring transparency and removing inefficiencies.
Speaking Friday evening during the launch of Wipro Office in Kenya at a Nairobi hotel, the CS said the country has digitally grown at 6.3 percent, terming it a huge contribution to the telecommunication sector, mobile money and financial services.
Wipro Limited is an Indian multinational corporation that provides information technology, consulting and business process services.
“Our aim is to make the digital growth be felt in job creation and wealth so that people can move to the next level,” said Mucheru.
He said President Uhuru and his government are committed to see more investment and projects like the Konza Technocity grow.
CS assured investors that the country has a lot of opportunities for companies to invest, noting that both local and foreign investors will be provided with a conducive environment for business.
He lauded Wipro Digital Company for establishing an office in Nairobi,saying that it is a great milestone and endorsement as it is in line with the strategy the government has taken in ensuring there is a competitive environment for businesses to grow and prosper.
Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr. Rahul Chhabra said he was happy that the ICT sector in Africa was growing, which he attributed to investors coming to the continent.
He said the recent world economic forum had addressed the issue of globalization which encouraged countries to focus on wealth creation and urged states to have a mindset on sharing, caring and sustainability.
The High Commissioner commended Kenya government for supporting Indian activities in the country, saying that Wipro’s investment will continue to strengthen the existing trade ties.
“We have about 100 companies in Kenya providing several billions of dollars and thousands of jobs” and added “I congratulate Wipro for being in the forefront in bring change in various countries, this will propel India’s image globally,”Chhabra said.
By Bernadette Khaduli