East Africa Community member states are working to build a harmonized ICT Framework with the aim of driving integration. During the Connected East Africa Summit, EAC members commenced deliberations on how to seal the gaps in ICT integration and shared infrastructure within the region.
Among the main focus areas of the 2015 summit are the Critical Infrastructure Act 2015, local content policy, Enterprise Kenya and the increase in allocation of funds to ICT projects. Speaking during the event, Kenya’s ICT Minister Fred Matiang’i lauded the role ICT has played in transforming lives. “In Kenya ICT is one of the most vibrant sectors with its contribution to the GDP growing year after year. The sector has the ability to transform lives of those that we serve – our citizens”, he added.
Dr Matiang’i reported that a task-force was already working on a new regulation that will offer mitigation measures against vandalism and provide guidelines to better management of infrastructure in the Critical Infrastructure Act, 2015. The bill, is to be tabled in parliament in the next 3 months.
An important focus of this year’s event is the growth of local ICT SME’s for job creation and growth of regional income. Microsoft launched an online hub that will connect SMEs’ across Africa by aggregating premium offers and relevant online services. Dubbed Biz4Afrika, the hub hub aims to meet the needs of every start-up or SME whether in start, growth and acceleration phase.
Other key areas of focus during the Summit include Digital Migration, Broadband Strategies, Northern Corridor, fiber network and the Integration of National Backbones for harmonized ‘smart plans’.
IMG Credit: in2eastafrica.net
