CS Owalo Meeting With Tier-Three ICT Service Providers

Information, Communication and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on Thursday held a consultative and briefing session with Tier-Three Service Providers in the ICT Industry in the country.

The government is seeking a collaborative approach with the private sector in a bid to spur the Digital Transformation Agenda.

Addressing stakeholders from the public and private sectors today during the Public Wi-Fi collaboration with Tier-Three Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Forum held in Nairobi, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo noted that the partnership with the private sector is a critical success factor for the advancement in digitization.

“I really want us to work closely since everything we are going to do as a country relies on technology for purposes of facilitating effectiveness in service delivery and re-engineering the way we conduct business,” said CS Owalo.

He urged the private sector to create job opportunities for the youth by leveraging on the networks and contacts they have within the digital space. Further noting that the youth have a lot of potential and the government is ready to facilitate training to ensure they are well equipped to get digital jobs.

The ICT Cabinet Secretary observed that there are numerous opportunities that the private sector can tap into at the KONZA Technopolis.

“It is paramount to create the impetus for private sector investment in KONZA. If we work together, KONZA will become our Silicone Savanna,” said CS Owalo.

The meeting explored possible pathways to increased market access and fair competition in the industry.

ICT CS Owalo said his Ministry is committed to protection of critical ICT infrastructure and to building an enabling legal, policy and regulatory environment.

“There are numerous opportunities that exist in that space, to spur private sector investment within KONZA that will effectively help us position this country as the ICT Hub for Africa,” said CS Owalo.

“As the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, we are committed to reaching out to the Private Sector for the growth of the industry, for an empowered Kenyan digital nation,” said CS Owalo.

He pointed that unity of purpose across all sectors will avoid duplication of digital infrastructural projects while assuring of his support to the private sector in every aspect.

In his address, ICT and The Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui pinpointed the importance of ensuring sustainability of free Wi-Fi connection across the country.

“We want to have a sustainable model where the private sector uses government infrastructure to connect people’s homes,” said PS Tanui.

The PS assured of the government’s commitment to solving various concerns raised by the stakeholders in relation to vandalism and meticulous processes while operating within the devolved units.

Speaking at the Forum, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani encouraged frequent and elaborate communication between the public and private sectors.

PS Kisiang’ani stated that the engagement between different stakeholders will create a cohesive working environment that will create positive impact all over the country.

“If he had not engaged, we would not know your aspirations and the challenges you are facing. That is why we need to communicate at every level in order to achieve our digitisation mandate,” noted the PS.

The meeting focused on cultivating closer collaborations in the search for meaningful universal digital access.

Also in attendance were leaders from parastatals including ICT Authority CEO Mr. Stanley Kamanguya and Communications Authority (CA) Director General Mr. Ezra Chiloba amongst other representatives from the private sector.

by: SadiqSaad