Disability is not Inability

::SUPPORT A DIGITAL VILLAGE IN KENYA

ICT Enterpreneurship for Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction

introduction

The ICT sector provides essential services for kenya's socio-economic development. In order to transform Kenya into a knowledge economy, the government of Kenya is developing ICT infrastructure to enable maximum developmental impact of ICTs.

"Digital Villages" are an innovative and practical example of how Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) can come together to creat wealth and reduce poverty in rural Kenya by utilizing the extra infrastructural capacity alredy developed by the Government.

What is a Digital village?

The overall objective of the Government of Kenya's National ICT Policy is wealth creation and poverty reduction for the people of Kenya. This is only possible if ICT products and services are readily accessible and affordable. Digital Villages are Electronic Centers (e-centers). Atypical e-center will provide a host of services driven by computers connected to the internet. Such services may include:-

. Electronic Mail (e-mail and Internet access);

. Electronic Banking (e-banking, money transfer such as Posta Pay, rural debit cards etc);

. Electronic Governemt (e-governemnt, police abstract forms, P3, tax returns, driving license application, ID applications, ID verification, registration of births, deaths, wedding etc);

. Electronic Business (e-business, franchised postal and courier services);

. Electronic Learning (e-learning)

. Electronic Health (e-health);

. Electronic Procurement (Sokoni, Kenya Agricultural Commodities Exchange, etc);

. E-monitoring (real time project monitoring, CDF, AIDS Fund, Roads Trust, LATF etc).

In addition they may have a fax, digital printer and other communication accessories. Like Digital Schools, they will be points of public access to information.

The e-centers will be equipped with funding from the Youth Development Fund, arrangements from Micro-finance Institutions, development partners, personal savings of enterpreneurs, donation from well wishers, etc.

Where will Digital Villages Reside?

Digital villages will be funded mostly by the Youth Fund or by one or more of the following organizations with the support of the Government:

. Individual Enterpreneurs

. Cooperatives;

Women Groups;

Youth Groups;

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs);

. Community Development Funds (CDFs);

. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs);

. Community Based Organizations (CBOs);

. Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs);

. Other Stakeholders

Who can support a Digital Village?

. Kenyans living in the country or in the Diaspora;

. Development Partners;

. Public and Private Organizations;

. Others parties on commercial/philanthropic terms as part of a national PPP initiative.

What does it take to set up a Digiatl Village?

. Facilities- space and furniture;

. Power - electricity and alternative;

. Connectivity - voice and data;

. Hardware - computer and peripherals;

. Software - programs and content;

. Consumables - stationery and supplies;

. Training- online and offline;

. Finance- capital and operational expenditure;

. Personnel - full and part time

How Does the Economy Benefit?

Digital Village will increase access to ICT -based services as well as knoeledge in the use of computers and related peripheral equipment thus contributing towads making kenya a knowledge economy. The increase in number of computers per capita, use of the internet and access to a variety of online or e-services will result in the "Jipp Curve Effect" (which demonstrates a direct co-relationship between info-density and GDP growth). The economy will also benefit from increased corporate or individual social responsibility of those who donate towards the Digital Villages. Reduction in crime is a likely positive outcome of the Digital Village initiative.

So What, where and how?

The government will provide fiscal and other incentives to enterpreneurs and corporate or individual supporters.

The government therefore encourages individual Kenyans, at home and in the Diaspora, to come together in partnership with Corporate and other entities to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

The Digital Villages Initiative provides Kenyans with a great dual chance to serve our beloved country by exercising our social responsibilities, while taking advantage of the business sense offered by the government's fiscal incentives.

Kenya's march toowards becoming a prosperous Knowledge Economy has just began.

Category: Business

<< Back to business | Back to Disability Kenya >>