The Computer Society of Kenya

Since 1986

Bd-ICT internetDAILY NATION By LILIAN OCHIENG

Thursday October 01, 2015

Over 150 government ICT officers will be trained in India in a move intended to improve Kenya’s capacity in the information technology sector.

The deal was announced during the India-Kenya ICT forum on Monday that was attended by 50 Indian ICT companies.

The firms are looking to partner with local technology firms.

“Indian companies are now using innovation, development research to create world class products. Kenya is looking to copy this trend and imprint it in its government operations,” said Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala on behalf of his counterpart Dr Fred Matiang'i, who is in New York for the 70th Session of United Nations General Assembly.

Kenya is looking to deepen its ties with India especially by increasing its knowledge on spectrum auctions, net neutrality, e-citizen services and training in the sector.

INDO-AFRICA ICT EXPO

The two countries are using the Indo-Africa ICT Expo in Nairobi as a platform to explore areas in which the two governments can collaborate for the mutual benefits of their markets. 

India has an agile tech sector whose software, outsourcing, hardware and electronic manufacturing trade contributes $120 billion to its economy annually.

Representing India at the summit was Mr Rakesh Garg, secretary in the telecoms department of the Indian government. Government officials and business leaders from India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda were in attendance.

“We are leveraging the convergence of telecom and IT for launching a digital transformation that will be used for the betterment of our lives in all aspects of human society,” Mr Garg said, “Due to the large scale and complexity, we have got a lot of experience in policies, networks/technology, skill development and innovative solutions that we wish to share locally.”

India and Kenya have growing commercial ties, with bilateral trade amounting to $4.47 billion in 2013-14.

India's exports to Kenya are currently at $4.18 billion, with the balance of trade heavily in India's favour.

India is Kenya's sixth-largest trading partner and the largest exporter to Kenya.

The Asian country plans to use Kenya as a gateway to the entire African continent

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