International
Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that Kenya's ICT market size will be worth USD
2 billion in 2015. Multinationals are investing in the country because it is a
spring board of connecting ICT and business to other markets. According to Paul
Kukubo, the CEO, Kenya ICT Board, Kenya's internet users are not more than
South Africans since most of them access internet via shared platforms.
This was during the Huawei Broaderway Forum for
Kenya held on the sidelines of the Cyber Security East Africa Conference.
He mentioned that the Kenya ICT board is not only a
technology board; it structures access to enable usage, uptake and growth of
technology in the country and by 2017, Kenya will become Africa's most
respected Knowledge economy according to the ICT Master Plan.
Mr. Li Dafeng, Regional President for Huawei East
and South Africa, said ICT is playing a critical role in sustainable
development in the global economy. "Today, people and organizations are
more efficient and productive due to access to speed network, smart phones
usage, numerous applications, and cloud computing systems, making our society
more intelligent and energy-saving," he said.
The Broader-way Forum, held in various countries by
Huawei, brings together leaders and experts from the country's information and
communications technology (ICT) industry to explore opportunities for the
future of national broadband.
In his speech during the opening ceremony, Mr. Li
Dafeng said: "Huawei is committed to support broadband development
globally and we are pleased to bring together some of the best minds in the
industry at our Broader-way Forum to steer dialogue on this important topic and
inspire actions that will enrich the lives of Kenyans and the region at
large." He said a study conducted by the World Bank shows that for
developing countries, a 10% increase in broadband penetration increases GDP by
1.38%. The European Commission estimates that by 2015, broadband will create
more than two million jobs, with an increase of at least 636 billion Euros to
GDP. "Broadband has therefore become an important enabler for social
services and a key engine for economic growth," he added.
Mr. Dafeng, however, noted that many countries and
continents still lack basic network coverage. In Africa for instance, less than
10% of the population has internet access, which is far lower than the global
average of 30%. The divide for broadband penetration is even larger with a
large number of developing countries with a penetration rate of less than 1%,
compared with 30% in developed countries. "The digital divide has become a
serious barrier to local development, causing an even greater imbalance in global
economic development," he said.
He said the elements critical to bridging the
digital divide include leadership and support of governments in setting
telecommunications penetration targets and facilitating equal access to
internet for everyone through innovative products and technologies.
"Huawei's national broadband solution, for instance, allows households and
enterprises to enjoy broadband access of up to 100M and 1G bandwidths
respectively with openness, high speed and low costs," he said.
Kukubo said the country is strengthening ICT as a
driver of economic growth in line with Visio 2030 economic blueprint. He said a
five-year Master Plan has been developed by Ministry of information and
communication to increase internet connections through a robust countrywide ICT
infrastructure. "The ICT master plan is a platform for partnership with
companies like Huawei to work together in order to achieve our goals," he
said. "By 2017, every citizen should be connected for Kenya to be Africa's
ICT hub."
Huawei has held a number of Broader Way Forums
around the world this year, the Kenyan one being the 3rd in Africa after South
Africa and Uganda. The Forums seek to promote dialogue on different industry
themes, including broad band's role in economic development, closing the
digital divide, network security, LTE technology, and inspiring ICT innovation.
Increased access to high-speed internet can help
bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries, according
to technology experts.
CIO East Africa Nairobi