16.3 Establishment of ICT Centres of Excellence
In order to increase diffusion of ICT knowledge, the Government will establish a national ICT Centre
of Excellence with nationwide coverage, to promote capacity building and innovation. The functions
of the ICT Centres of excellence will be clearly marked out vis-à-vis the other various centres of
excellence in line with the identified ICT gaps in ICT capacity, knowledge and innovation with clear
objectives and goals to ensure proper execution and sustainability.
17 KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY (TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN ICT)
17.1 Introduction
The digital economy has become one of the most powerful engine to drive Kenya’s economic
development. The shifting toward the digital economy expected to facilitate Kenya’s goal of creating
a model of economic growth that is based on productivity, innovation and consumption.
17.2 Electronic Commerce
In recognition of the important role that e-commerce plays in economic development, its use shall be
promoted in trade and investments as a means of integrating Kenya into the global economy. To this
end, the Government will:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Support the development of e-commerce by enhancing existing legislation to support ebusiness including m-commerce;
Establish the framework for the role of intermediaries within the scope of e-commerce. To
this extent, there shall be developed rules on the formal recognition of intermediaries, their
role as well as their exemption from liability in e-transactions.
Support promotional campaigns to raise public awareness on the potential opportunities
presented by e-commerce;
Develop a transparent, stable and effective legal operating environment and legislation that
protects innovation and investment in e-commerce platforms;
Promote collaboration with the international community in developing an equitable
framework for e-commerce and
Promote a secure electronic fund transfer and digital transaction payment system
17.3 ICT Trade & Export
In order to increase the contribution of the ICT industry to the national GDP, the government shall
consider the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Adopting Open Data principles: - in order to spur digital innovations around public data held
by county and national governments;
Promote local software industry:- the government will encourage giving preferential
treatment to local software developers/solutions when tendering e-Government projects
including requiring that a minimum percentage of the contract sum is reserved for local
partnerships for skill-transfer purposes;
Support regional ICT exports:- by subsidizing Kenyan ICT companies to expand into regional
markets;
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