Cisco in the month of October held their bi-annual re-branded and expanded two day flagship technology event Cisco Connect 2013 Kenya (previously known as Cisco Expo). At this event graced by their senior most executives as well as government officials (of Kenya), Cisco stamped their presence in this emerging market of Africa and specifically Kenya.
David Meads (Vice President for Africa) in his address stated that Cisco is in 11 countries in Africa, and their growth regions are South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt & Kenya. He went further on and explained why Cisco is particularly interested in Kenya, stating that:
• Half the population is under the age of 25
• There is an insatiable appetite for innovation
• The youth are the next entrepreneurs
• Kenya is resource rich
• The GDP growth rate is above 5 percent
• Kenya can leap frog technology gaps
Cisco plans to leverage Broadband penetration access in the country in order to assist in the boosting of Kenya’s GDP as well as Cisco’s growth in the market.
Sabrina Dar (General Manager East Africa) stated that in Kenya, Cisco is working alongside/adopting the National Broadband Plan and through their Networking Academies are creating a workforce that can sustain and maintain the upcoming infrastructure.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT, Dr. Matiang’i who was presented lauded Cisco’s efforts in Kenya and also added that the government is firmly behind the implementation of the national broadband strategy.
Other key speakers such as Howard Charney, (Senior Vice President, Office of the President Cisco) and Den Sullivan (CIO, Emerging Markets) went further on to discuss and showcase current ICT trends such as the Internet of Everything (IoE) and how organisations and governments throughout East Africa can leverage these trends to drive success and make their visions possible.
