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Finally we have a Digital Economy Blueprint! But now the real work of IMPLEMENTATION begins.
by Patrick A. M. Maina 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear listers, What are your thoughts on the Digital Economy Blueprint? My first impressions are that the document is comprehensive and inclusive. It does a good job of balancing a complex landscape of diverse interests - while maintaining focus on Kenya's prosperity as an overarching goal. Stakeholders now have common reference point for shared understanding on how public and private sector initiatives fit into the bigger picture; and the 5 Pillars approach, if well implemented, should lead to an optimal balance of initiatives and outcomes. Kudos to NCS, MoICT and all (public/private sector) stakeholders who were involved for doing a great job! But even as we celebrate, let us remind each other that "the map is not the territory". Kenya is renowned for world-class documents, blueprints, strategies and policies which are launched with pomp and color, only to be carefully shelved after the excitement is over (and then everyone goes back to the chaos that we are used to). A document is only a map; it is not the goal. Real success comes with implementation; hence the focus now should be on getting things done in the real world and striving for real measurable results. Here are some ideas for implementation: 1. Set up a website for the Digital Economy Blueprint to bring the document to life. 2. Develop a Visual Traceability Map (hopefully interactive - but can be static to begin with) showing: a. How the blueprint maps to Big 4 and Vision 2030 b. How all recent, ongoing and planned initiatives (including tenders) link back to the five pillars - to help improve visibility on whether resources allocation is optimally and sensibly balanced across all pillars - in order to avoid the trap of sub-optimization. 3. Enhance the map by adding the ability to switch the view according to different perspectives (e.g. budget / expenditure / new revenues / number of startups / jobs / investments / acquisitions / PPP projects / project status overviews / vendor distribution / counties etc) to give fairly precise indicators of where we are and where we are going as a country. 4. Develop a ROI Linkage Map that associates expenditure initiatives with benefit generating initiatives (including forward looking - ahead of demand, but time-bound projections - which would then be compared to actuals over time). The questions to answer include: are we optimally allocating capital and are investments yielding the promised benefits? This way we can learn about what works and what doesn't - and build confidence and competence across the board. 5. Blueprint implementation should look beyond tenders and spending: Our government needs new diversified sources of revenues - and pillars 2 and 4 are about developing new revenue streams for the country by establishing Kenya as a leading exporter of digital products and services in Africa and beyond. Hopefully these crucial pillars will get strong attention and financial targets will be set for implementation teams, against which performance should be measured. If done well, it should help reduce our country's reliance on debt for budget support. Implementation is the only way to bring a great plan / vision to life. Have a great day! Link: http://www.ict.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kenya-Digital-Economy-2019.… Brgds,Patrick. Patrick A. M. Maina[Cross-domain Innovator | Independent Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations]

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Fwd: [afnog] Application for AfPIF-2019 fellowship is now open/ L'inscription au programme de bourses AfPIF-2019 est ouverte
by Barrack Otieno 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

This might be of interest to some. Regards ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Betel Hailu <hailu(a)isoc.org> Date: Tue, 14 May 2019 06:05:48 +0000 Subject: [afnog] Application for AfPIF-2019 fellowship is now open/ L'inscription au programme de bourses AfPIF-2019 est ouverte To: "afnog(a)afnog.org" <afnog(a)afnog.org> VERSION FRANCAISE CI-DESSOUS ============================== Hello everyone- Application for AfPIF-2019 fellowship is now open! Looking for fellowship to attend AfPIF-2019? There is limited fellowship opportunity - see if you qualify. #WomeninTech who have an interest in peering and interconnection are also encouraged to apply. Applications will close on May 29 2019 ============================== Bonjour à toutes et à tous- L’inscription au programme de bourses AfPIF-2019 est ouverte ! Vous cherchez des bourses pour participer à AfPIF-2019 ? Les places sont limitées, cependant vérifiez si votre profil correspond aux critères. #LesFemmesTech qui sont intéressées autour des concepts de peering et de transit sont également invitées à soumettre leurs candidatures. Dernier délai pour déposer les candidatures: le 29 Mai, 2019 Betel Hailu For AfPIF Comms -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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Government AI Readiness Index Launch - May 15th 1400 UTC
by Alex Comninos 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear All, I Invite you to the launch of the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index (a webinar) tomorrow May15th 1400 UTC If you would like to attend please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai4d-knowledge-webinar-introducing-the-2019-go… Description Technologies have had an undeniable impact on improving living standards, connecting us together, and increasing productivity. With the right policies and institutional arrangements, governments can ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared broadly. This one-hour webinar will introduce and ignite a dialogue on this year’s Government AI Readiness Index and its implications on various regions. The dialogue will draw on the knowledge of leading regional experts who penned this report. The Panelists • Hannah Miller, Report Lead Author from Oxford Insights, UK • Isaac Rutenberg, Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, Kenya • Fabrizio Scrollini, Executive Director of the Latin American Open Data Initiative, Uruguay • Alex Comninos, AI4D Policy & Regulation Focal Point, Research ICT Africa, South Africa This webinar will be moderated by Robert Muthuri, AI4D Policy & Regulation Focal Point, Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology, Kenya When • Wednesday, May 15, 2019, from 16h-17h PM Nairobi Time | 14h-15h PM London -GMT | 9h-10h AM ET - Ottawa Time • This webinar will be hosted on Webex We look forward to your participation in this webinar. For more information visit our website: https://ai4d.ai/project/ai-index/ The 2019 Government AI Readiness Index was produced by Oxford Insights with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Kind regards, Alex Comninos Alex Comninos Researcher | Research ICT Africa acomninos(a)researchictafrica.net | twitter: @alexcomninos @RIAnetwork 409 Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa +27 21 447 6332 | researchictafrica.net | facebook.com/researchICTafrica.net

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Annual ICT conference
by Fiona Makaka 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Good morning Listers, Do we have a representative participating in this conference? Regards, Fiona Makaka Associate - Telecommunications, Media and Technology T: +254 (709) 830 100 | E: fmakaka(a)tripleoklaw.com A: 5th Floor, Block C, ACK Garden House, 1st Ngong’ Avenue, off Bishops Road, Nairobi, Kenya | View MapDownload contact details | View Disclaimer

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[team up & bid] CA's Tender for Consultancy Ser- vices For The Study On Over-The- Top (OTTS) Technologies/Services In Kenya
by Patrick A. M. Maina 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear listers, This might be of interest to some listers. The above tender by CA is reserved for local 100% owned consultancies. Deadline is 22nd May (~8 days). Do you own or know an eligible consultancy that could be interested in bidding? Or you can team up with others to meet the requirements? If you need an extra hand (I qualify for "other consultant") I can be of service. Just inbox me. OTT is an area that I have researched on quite deeply and accumulated a lot of insights (as well as broad hands-on experience). Good day,Patrick. Patrick A. M. Maina[Cross-domain Innovator | Public Policy Analyst - Indigenous Innovations]

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KRA targets online businesses in tax evasion crackdown
by Victor Kapiyo 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has set sights on businesses using the Internet to market and sell products in a renewed bid to reduce revenue leakage through tax evasion. The taxman says some of the businesses, which have invested in online channels to provide services and drive sales were neither paying taxes nor filing annual returns. https://mobile.nation.co.ke/business/KRA-targets-online-businesses-in-tax-e…

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Re: [kictanet] [the CNBC report supports SGR idea] .KE SGR + CNBC - Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail
by Patrick A. M. Maina 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

For those who haven't watched it (see link #4 below), the video posted by Mr. Muraya supports the idea of a rail system like SGR and discusses how past US administrations' mistake of pandering to corporate interests (like car manufacturers, road contractors and petroleum barons) led to sub-optimal infrastructural decisions which will be very costly to undo, if at all possible, and which inadvertently created a niche for other countries, like China, to establish technological leadership in Rail innovations, that is now being used for geopolitical advantage against US interests. This is an excellent case study of how short-term oriented corporate lobbyists push for policies that sabotage governments and public interest in the long term. It also makes an interesting point: that high quality public infrastructure decisions are best driven by public interest and long term strategic planning (i.e. master-plan design instead of a haphazard "lets please the deepest pockets" approach). The politics around our SGR makes it a tricky and sensitive topic. It is very difficult to have a sober debate on such topics because positions are so deeply entrenched and heavily reliant on deep personal convictions (rather than rational thought or evidence), as well as undisclosed political motivations, that it sometimes looks like a religious debate. A key sign of entrenched positions is when sweeping statements are articulated as absolute and irrefutable "truths", applicable to ALL scenarios, no matter what, often with no supporting evidence or data, but even when confirming evidence or data exists, there is little if any interest in looking for, or entertaining, contradictory evidence or data. You can't establish an "absolute truth" by inductive reasoning (see links #1 & #2 below). No wonder at the end of every debate on such hot topics, each side becomes more entrenched in their previous beliefs and absolutely no learning takes place, because in reality, it is not the issue itself being debated or defended, but the normative (right/wrong/good/bad) connotations around the issue - which significantly raises the personal stakes among participants leading to a natural defensive reaction. There are scientific explanations for this i.e. cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias - so irrational positions are not just about "tribe" or political affiliations but how our brains are fundamentally wired to operate when we are in real/perceived groups. (see link #3 below) Even as I write this, I can't help but feel like a fly walking into the spider's den... Still, let me muster some courage and try tiptoe around the political minefield, so as to offer an intellectual perspective to those who may be receptive to a rational discussion on the topic of investment appraisal for public infrastructure. To begin, two interesting phrases have been made by fellow listers, which I think are not as congruent as they may appear. The phrase "ahead of demand" makes more sense to me than "not really supposed to break even". The former considers or recognizes the question of demand. The latter dispenses with it completely. I believe that SGR is an "ahead of demand" project that makes a lot of sense - just like Thika Superhighway and the various city bypass roads. The government is just not articulating its position well because it seemingly does not have a technocratic communication team (or Think Tank) that can engage ,non-politically, with opposing intellectuals to offer robust rebuttals to (real/purported) intellectual arguments, whilst educating the public on complexities and nuances around public interest projects. This failure to offer a robust articulation of net gains has a negative impact on trust - which creates room for toxic politics (propaganda). SGR is a component of a continent-wide master-plan. If you consider developments like AfCFTA and continent-wide infrastructure projects, the SGR starts to make a lot of sense. Most arguments against it try to limit the scope of benefit to tangible aspects (direct revenue) strictly within the local context - but holistic business cases will also consider the intangible benefits (e.g. opening up the economy for MSMEs) as well as broader contexts (e.g. AfCFTA, strategic geopolitical gains etc). So the business case for SGR (and it's payback period) largely depends the methodology and inputs used to calculate it - and this is why it is so vulnerable to politics. Sadly, Wanjiku doesn't know this - and Government has, so far, been doing a poor job of articulating it (as well as losing out of the benefits of teaching citizens how to think critically and independently - such as, lowering susceptibility of general population to geopolitical subversion. But these weaknesses can be addressed at any time by the relevant decision makers, if they wish to do so. Is it pedantic to examine the difference between "ahead of demand" vs "not really supposed to break even"? Well, if you believe resources are unlimited, that any debt is better than smart debt, and that there are no competing alternatives where allocation of capital would yield better returns, then, yes, you will assert pedantry. But if you take the view that resources are indeed scarce, that we are a poor country that relies on debt to provide even basic services like healthcare and/or education for our children, that we need to accumulate smart debt - not any debt, and you recognize the need to strike a balance between immediate needs (economic pain relief) and long term gains, you will see value in considering the demand-side and a culture that strives to focus on projects that have a clear and high value proposition for the country (the SGR being one of them, IMO). Perhaps Isiolo Airport would be an example of Ali's "not really supposed to break even" project, if recent media reports are anything to go by (see link #5). I don't have data to make any definitive conclusions on it as yet so I reserve my opinion. In order to establish a robust counter-narrative to that posed by economists and intellectuals (so that Wanjiku doesn't fall for intellectual dishonesty) the government should consider setting up "think tank" agencies or workgroups, in collaboration with entrepreneurs, TVETs and Universities, to offer intellectually robust thought leadership on national discourse; taking in the good ideas and offering robust counter-narratives to politically motivated intellectual arguments. We need a culture of low-stakes debate, where we people can talk to each other about things/perspectives that we disagree on, with the goal of educating ourselves as curious individuals, and as a collective that desires to make the right choices for our, and our children's long term benefit. Good evening. Links / References: 1. The Problem of Induction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_induction 2. Deeper discussion on Inductive reasoning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_reasoning 3. Confirmation Bias And the Power of Disconfirming Evidence https://fs.blog/2017/05/confirmation-bias/ 4. CNBC Report - Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qaf6baEu0_w 5. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/shipping/Isiolo-Airport-mostl… Brgds,Patrick. Patrick A. M. On Friday, May 10, 2019, 8:54:24 PM GMT+3, Eng. Dr. Zaipuna O. Yonah via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: I concur! I consider Infrastructure projects as investments AHEAD of demand, not where there is demand. RegardsZaipuna On Fri, 10 May 2019, 19:16 Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote: Interesting take. Just one thing. Infrastructure projects are not really supposed to break even. This is not a Profit and Loss situation. The ramifications of great infrastructure supersede the profit motive. Regards AliHussein Principal AHK & Associates Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, Chiromo Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. On Fri, May 10, 2019 at 11:20 AM S.M. Muraya via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: Interesting documentary here..Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail - https://youtu.be/Qaf6baEu0_w Even with digital transformations, the USA is still creating (service industry jobs) which require movement of people + cargo, not just movement of money (online banking services). MAYBE, the KE SGR will break even in 30 years (serving over 90 Mln Kenyans) if Kenyan SMEs are empowered to create more jobs all over Kenya. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2010/04/28/demographic-transition-… worldpopulationreview.com/countries/kenya-population/ _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/engyonah%40gmail.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/pmaina2000%40yahoo.com The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.

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State of Broadband in Kenya - breakfast meeting
by Mwendwa Kivuva 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

KICTAnet conducted an online debate on the state of play and impact of broadband in Kenya, broadly looking at the socio-economic impact on consumers, businesses and various sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, finance and government; looking at real life examples of impact of broadband, challenges we face in increasing impact of broadband and recommendations on interventions needed to address the challenges identified. The results of the discussion will be shared in a face to face breakfast meeting to be held on Friday 10th May 2019 at Sarova Panafric hotel, Nairobi from 7.30am Below is the eventbrite link for registration to participate in the event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-broadband-in-kenya-breakfast-meeting-… ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva

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Re: [kictanet] State of Broadband in Kenya - breakfast meeting
by nzambi kakusu 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Thanks, I will be there. On Thu, 9 May 2019 11:05 am Mwendwa Kivuva, <lordmwesh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > You can just come. You are welcomed > > On Thu, May 9, 2019, 07:21 nzambi kakusu via kictanet < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > >> Good morning, I had been asked to confirm to Mwara about the attendance. >> Can I still register? >> >> >> On Wed, 8 May 2019 4:11 pm Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet, < >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> We still have some slots remaining for the breakfast meeting on Friday. >>> Apply here on Eventbrite >>> >>> >>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-broadband-in-kenya-breakfast-meeting-… >>> >>> >>> Warm Regards >>> ______________________ >>> Mwendwa Kivuva, >>> >>> >>> On Tue, 7 May 2019 at 01:28, Mwendwa Kivuva <Kivuva(a)transworldafrica.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> KICTAnet conducted an online debate on the state of play and impact of >>>> broadband in Kenya, broadly looking at the socio-economic impact on >>>> consumers, businesses and various sectors like agriculture, education, >>>> healthcare, finance and government; looking at real life examples of impact >>>> of broadband, challenges we face in increasing impact of broadband and >>>> recommendations on interventions needed to address the challenges >>>> identified. >>>> >>>> >>>> The results of the discussion will be shared in a face to face >>>> breakfast meeting to be held on Friday 10th May 2019 at Sarova >>>> Panafric hotel, Nairobi from 7.30am >>>> >>>> >>>> Below is the eventbrite link for registration to participate in the >>>> event. >>>> >>>> >>>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-broadband-in-kenya-breakfast-meeting-… >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ______________________ >>>> Mwendwa Kivuva >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet >>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ >>> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kakusuj7%40gmail.com >>> >>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >>> >>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> Twitter: http://twitter.com/kictanet >> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/ >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kivuva%40transworldaf… >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> >

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Webinar Invitation: Evolving ICANN’s Multistakeholder Model
by Bob Ochieng 07 Jul '19

07 Jul '19

Dear listers, Let me share details of the above webinar here: https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2019-05-07-en <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2019-05-07-en> You are all invited if you can find time. Thank you. Bob.

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