These, in return, will not only create jobs, but also technical skills transfer, innovation and increased entrepreneurial activity that further bolster a nation’s competitiveness in the global economy.
In recognition of these benefits, the country needs to consistently put its money where its mouth is. However, looking at the new budget estimates, something is not clicking right.
Last year, Finance minister offered plenty of goodies to the ICT sub-sector. He waived taxes on mobile phone handsets, money was allocated for mobile ICT laboratories at the constituency level and investors in the fibre optic cable were offered incentives to ensure inherent benefits are available to Kenyans.
The results from these measures are evident. Over half of Kenyans now own a mobile phone, and many have been able to partake in m-business transactions through the world famous M-Pesa and Zap platforms.
Additionally, cheaper phones increased the number of locals making calls from which the government collects taxes.
Safaricom, the leading mobile services provider is also the leading tax payer in the country and therefore a serious booster to the economy.
The landing of the fibre optic cable on the other hand has improved the speed of internet communication immensely, catalysing growth in the lucrative Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
In 2008, the then Finance minister set aside over Sh1 billion for a modern BPO park. The park was aimed at providing tax incentives to investors, while offering accessible, reliable and affordable ICT services. It was also meant to contribute to the Kenya’s Vision 2030.
It was highly expected that in his latest estimates, minister Uhuru Kenyatta would outline what has been done so far towards this important process. Kenya, as has been mentioned before, is destined to be a natural centre for BPO in Africa, offering immense opportunities to this country. The minister was however mute on this one.
This year, Mr Kenyatta set aside some Sh1.3 billion to buy 300 computers for each of the constituencies. He directed that these machines be purchased from home-grown computer assembly plants to boost employment among our youth.
Investing in ICT infrastructure in remote regions will almost certainly generate little profit at first, but can bring greater financial returns in the longer term.
This is a welcome gesture. But it will be remembered that this is the same amount of money that the minister allocated for the purchase of mobile computer laboratories for each constituency in his last year’s budget speech. This, according to the minister, was going to serve as a pilot project to be extended to more schools.
Curiously however, in this year’s budget, the minister did not mention any progress made on this project and also did not outline any measures that he has put in place to scale up the project as previously promised.
As the constituencies embark on digitisation process, one of the main threats to computers is viruses and security of hardware. These must be adequately addressed. The government, in subsequent budget estimates, needs to waive taxes on important software such as anti-virus and ensure that offices where these computers will be locked have adequate security.
Salary raises
Teachers, on the other hand, have been vocal in fighting for salary raises over the years and this budget has allocations for this purpose. Now they need to up their game. In the same vigour, tutors need to demand funds to build their capacity in computer technology, particularly in basic software and hardware, so that they can manage pupils, some of whom are exposed to computers at very early ages.
There is also need for the government to give incentives to investors who want to set up quality computer colleges in areas beyond the main cities.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sam Wambugu
Quelle/Source: Daily Nation, 13.06.2010
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