Kenya is building a new software factory in Mulot, Bomet County in a bid to boost the country’s status as a regional technology hub. The hub be the first among two scheduled for construction where the government targets to employ over 100,000 software engineers to develop applications for the region as well as the global market.
The factories will be established under the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022 – 2032) launched by ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru in April this year.
According to ICT Authority, they will spur the country’s industrialization agenda and enhance economic growth through ICT.
“The emerging trends in the ICT sector and continuous demonstration of expertise in ICT by youth in the counties will accelerate the utilization of the ICT for the country’s benefit. Bomet County and especially Mulot area has been identified as an area with potential software engineers which if tapped well will create software enterprise for the country as well as for the region,” said ICTA.
The groundbreaking which is scheduled for Friday with attendance from industry stakeholders will also cover discussions such as strides the government has achieved in broadband connectivity, services transformation, products and data management services, digital skills capacity building to the citizen’s approach, and innovation.
The Digital Master Plan builds on the pillars of the Kenya Digital Economy Blueprint, and the achievements of the Kenya National ICT Master Plan 2014 – 2017.
The National Digital Master Plan 2022 – 2032 aims to provide a holistic and coordinated approach so as to ensure the alignment and optimization of ICTs resources with changing needs.
The Masterplan is anchored in four pillars which include Digital Infrastructure, Digital Government Services, Products and Data Management, Digital Skills and Digital Innovation, Enterprise, and Digital Business.
ICTA has already rolled out the implementation of the digital infrastructure by installing public WI-FI sites across various locations within Nairobi County.
On the other hand, the Citizens Digital Skills Program launched last month is targeting to train 20 million citizens on the competencies and expertise required for the digital economy and to bridge the digital divide.
Discover more from Techspace Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.