Estonia, which is known for a number of IT-based companies that have a global reach, such as e-taxi app Bolt, has opened its regional offices in Nairobi with the aim of attracting public and private sector investments in Kenya and East Africa.
To achieve this, Enterprise Estonia will help with investments in various sectors, such as agri-produce value addition, information technologies, and wastewater management. The new office will also work towards improving the export access of Kenyan produce to the European markets.
In an event that was held in Nairobi’s Sankara yesterday evening, 8 Estonian companies in the ICT sector announced they will venture into the Kenyan market, with the goal of acquiring new business opportunities from both private enterprises and the public sector.
To note, these organizations are not necessarily barring local companies, or edging them out in the ICT space. Rather, they will work with local ICT counterparts to identify business opportunities and provide solutions to local problems.
Estonia ICT firms in Kenya
The Estonian 8 ICT firms that will make their entry here are Cybernetica, Nortal, Alldevice, Digital Nation, FOB Solutions, Finbite OÜ, Wisercat Software, and ADM Interactive.
They offer a diverse range of solutions on offer, including industrial maintenance management software, digital advisory services, front-office solutions, digital transformation services, billing and invoice management solutions, business automation, electronic document management systems, and specialized applications.
Other Estonian firms have already set up shop in the Kenyan market prior to this announcement. One of them is Spacedrip, which has installed an automated water treatment and reuse system at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Mondo (not to be confused with the now-defunct Mondo Ride app) is in the process of digitizing various subjects aimed at facilitating e-learning.
CoNurse App is currently being piloted at Kenyatta National Hospital, providing voice-guided support to help experienced nurses conduct and remember critical, complex, and infrequent procedures.
Bolt has also been operating locally for an extended period, offering e-taxi alternatives to Uber and Little Cab.
Quotes
‘’Enterprise Estonia is an Estonian institution whose goal is to support Estonian enterprises to do business across the world as well as attracting foreign investment to Estonia, ‘’ Estonia’s Ambassador at Large for Africa Mr. Daniel Schaer during an event to mark the official opening of Enterprise Estonia offices in Nairobi.
“These Estonian companies are experts in developing seamless digital public services that have the potential to drive economic growth and improve the standard of living for the population. By streamlining processes and enhancing accessibility, these solutions are primed to usher in a brighter future for all.
“Furthermore, the innovative solutions offered by these companies are not only beneficial for the public sector but also for businesses. These technologies will allow companies to save money and establish profitable growth with greater ease,” Mr. Schaer added.
