Last week, I was honored to be part of the government delegation accompanying President William Ruto on his official visit to the United States.
This visit comes in celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. A partnership that has been instrumental in fostering innovation and advancement in our technology landscape.
The visit also underscored the shared commitment between Kenya and the United States in promoting global peace, security, and prosperity. On the sidelines of the official visit, I engaged stakeholders in the technology and trade sectors during the Georgia Diaspora Technology Investment Conference in Atlanta.
We discussed progress in harnessing the growing e-commerce and digital economy and how technology acts as a catalyst for development.
There is no doubt that Kenya stands as a beacon of innovation and digital progress within the African landscape, which is characterized by a rapidly developing, young and digitally savvy population. Our dynamic ecosystem, known as “Silicon Savannah”, which includes more than 200 startups, has attracted more than $800 million in investments in the past five years.
Silicon Savannah represents fertile ground for high-impact investments whether in the creative economy, mobile solutions or fintech sectors, areas where Kenya has demonstrated global leadership.
It is clear that the widespread use of digital platforms has reshaped communications, access to information, and business practices, permeating various aspects of Kenyan society, driving economic growth, promoting inclusivity, and raising the overall quality of life.
One of the key drivers of digital transformation is our young population. With improved network connectivity, this demographic has led the evolution of digital outsourcing, creating new opportunities for job creation and development.
During this visit, it was clear that this growth will be further supported by initiatives such as the US commitment of more than $31 million to advance Kenya’s efforts in creating a digital highway ecosystem.
This strong and growing innovative partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to invest in secure and resilient technology supply chains, build a skilled and technologically savvy workforce for the future, and strengthen the digital economy and infrastructure.
For example, the commitment to strengthening cybersecurity is evident in the joint efforts by the United States and Kenya to launch a Cybersecurity Operations Platform to improve the security of our digital infrastructure.
As a country, our journey towards becoming a technological powerhouse is well underway. I believe that with the continued support of international partners and a thriving local technology ecosystem, we are on the path to achieving remarkable achievements.
This includes an initial pilot project to enhance the flexibility of e-government services in Kenya.
Such partnerships represent a boost to Kenya's Digital Highway programme, which includes laying 100,000 km of last-mile fiber infrastructure and establishing digital hubs nationwide, with the aim of creating a strong digital ecosystem.
The private sector in Kenya, through KEPSA, is keen to promote technology transfer initiatives tailored to Kenyan needs. This includes innovative city technologies, AI-based agricultural improvements, and healthcare solutions. Collaborative R&D projects can lead to innovations that address our country's unique challenges and opportunities.
Back home, Safaricom, as a technology leader, is determined to foster innovation, foster inclusivity and build a resilient digital economy. Not only to transform our own socio-economic landscape, but also to set an example for other African countries.
The writer is CEO of Safaricom Plc.
