Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper
Hi Brian, I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day. The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised within the Kenyan environment. For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal to market Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006. My worry is that if we market Kenya from this dimension, when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing campaign, then we create a disaster. The first 3 or 5 investors would get in, get burned and get out. And then the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3 BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown} In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be in 5-10years time but tries to set milestones for the same within a 1year bracket. So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years. The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the 'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to want to do. This includes, but is not limited to: i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the Regulator is effectively independent to monitor and regulate the industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection, remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid. ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the Government plays its role as far as enacting the appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc. iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure (particularly the Fixed Line Network). iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country. Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content. Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites. eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought. To me these are some of the immediate things to put in place and they are the ones to be milestoned within a year. The rest would then automatically fall in place. walu.
Thanks Walu for this input. John Walubengo wrote:
Hi Brian,
I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day.
The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised within the Kenyan environment.
For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal to market Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006.
My worry is that if we market Kenya from this dimension, when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing campaign, then we create a disaster. The first 3 or 5 investors would get in, get burned and get out. And then the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3 BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown}
In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be in 5-10years time but tries to set milestones for the same within a 1year bracket. So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years.
The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the 'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to want to do. This includes, but is not limited to:
i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the Regulator is effectively independent to monitor and regulate the industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection, remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid.
ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the Government plays its role as far as enacting the appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc.
iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure (particularly the Fixed Line Network).
iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country. Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content. Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites. eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought.
To me these are some of the immediate things to put in place and they are the ones to be milestoned within a year. The rest would then automatically fall in place.
walu.
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Dear Walu et al, You have valid points in your posting, but I must admit that the document is a very good starting point. And what make me even happier is that it originates from the government (I hope im right on this) so ownership within government is almost guaranteed. We cannot for instance wait until we have sound infrastructure before inviting investors...the same investors can be given incentives to develop infrastructure. Now, what is important is to look at this document as input into a serious brainstorm without loosing the objective of the strategy...creating 10,000 jobs in six months, that should be the "mantra". Like Walu, I will not be present so we beg to be informed. Harry -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com@kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=aitecafrica.com@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of John Walubengo Sent: 24 January 2006 07:37 To: harry@aitecafrica.com Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Workshop to discuss ICT Strategy Paper Hi Brian, I just thought I would share my reactions in advanced given that I may arrive later (or not) due some other meeting on the same day. The paper seems to be hurriedly cobbled together, ideas are good and factual BUT they have NOT been contextualised within the Kenyan environment. For example, the paper semms to emphasise a lot on outsourcing projects (call centers, BPOs, etc) and the proposal to market Kenya as the hot destination for the same (BPOs, Call Center,etc) by March 2006. My worry is that if we market Kenya from this dimension, when our domestic infrastructure if far being ready to handle the resulting/impact of such a would be succesfull marketing campaign, then we create a disaster. The first 3 or 5 investors would get in, get burned and get out. And then the rest would learn - from the bad experiences of the first few - and then probably never step in Kenya again. {might be good to hear the challenges of the 2 or 3 BPOs who've been in Kenya for the last 2years, and why the number has not grown} In other words this ICT strategy looks at what Kenya should be in 5-10years time but tries to set milestones for the same within a 1year bracket. So, to me theres is need to be honest with what can be achieved in the next 1year as we look towards the next 5, 10 years. The priorities for the next 1year are unfortunately the 'boring' and difficult things that nobody seems to want to do. This includes, but is not limited to: i) Regulatory issues: - there's need to ensure that the Regulator is effectively independent to monitor and regulate the industry. Quality standards, Affordability, effective Competition, Consumer Protection, remain but some of the challenges CCK seems to avoid. ii) Government Issues: - there's need to ensure that the Government plays its role as far as enacting the appropriate legislations and regulation is concerned. Government should also ensure that the secondary but supporting infrastructure such as Electricity, Road networks exist to make it easier for Telecom Operators to expand their reach. Govt must concretely enhance or institutionalise Public Private Partnerships (PPP), etc. iii) Private Sector:- With a strong PPP, there will definately be opportunities for private sector to pump in sufficient funds to build and expand the Telecom Infrastructure (particularly the Fixed Line Network). iv) Content Development:-We really do not have significant presence on the internet -as a country. Most of the Internet Users in Kenya log in to access international content. Even percieved local content like www.nationaudio.com seat on foreign sites. eGovernment initiates must lead the way to provide locally relevant content along the lines K.R.A is doing. Strategies to encourage Universities and Colleges to do the same must be sought. To me these are some of the immediate things to put in place and they are the ones to be milestoned within a year. The rest would then automatically fall in place. walu. _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet@kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/harry%40aitecafrica.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: 20/01/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.21/236 - Release Date: 20/01/2006
participants (3)
-
Dorcas Muthoni -
Harry Hare -
John Walubengo