Kenya Unveils Strategic Plan for ICT Reform, Targets AI, Data, and Cybersecurity Policies
A Multi-Stakeholder Project Coordination and Delivery Unit and high-level project governance framework will be adopted to guide the implementation process of recommendations given by the ICT Sector Working Group (SWG).
The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), Dr. Margaret Ndung’u has today received the SWG Final Report which has impactful recommendations across ten ICT thematic areas.
The CS who appreciated the SWG for formulating the well detailed Report, maintained that the Report is only as good as its implementation, “to ensure the successful execution of the recommendations outlined in this Report, the SWG has also provided detailed strategies for enhancing successful implementation.”
The ICT SWG was tasked with a critical, overarching role of reviewing the current ICT policies, legislative frameworks, and institutional capacities and to propose actionable reforms that will propel Kenya into a vibrant digital economy over the next 15 to 20 years.
CS Ndung’u stated that MICDE will collaborate with other key agencies to develop a National Portfolio Programme and Project Management Policy that will ease the management of ICT projects and ensure that all ICT initiatives at both National and County levels are not duplicated and are aligned with the national goals.
In his remarks, ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui said that the SWG Report has been released at an appropriate time when policy review is key to tackling various technological based challenges. Adding that efforts are in top gear to utilize the Kenya School of Government’s Centre of Excellence for enhancing the public servants’ digital skills.
The Principal Secretary, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani observed that the recommendations outlined in the SWG will help in streamlining the Communication sector and called for a robust public-private partnership for effective digital transformation.
The SWG Report has given a number of recommendations which include: Develop a national AI and emerging Technology Policy; Revise the National ICT Policy 2019 to align to industry trends; Formulate the National Data Policy and enact the Kenya’s Data Act; Develop a National Cybersecurity Policy amongst others.
In attendance were SWG Chairperson Prof. Timothy Waema, SWG Members, CEO’s from MICDE Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs), Development partners and key stakeholders.
