Towards a National ICT Towards a National ICT StrategyStrategy

Mike Eldon

Chairman, KEPSA ICT Board/KIF

Governor, KEPSA

The story so farThe story so farNIC 2020

– No mention of ICT at all.PRSP

– Separate ICT SWG. Others ignore ICT.NDP

– No one noticed any of it.ERS

– Acknowledged lack of ICT focus, resources...

Kenya ICT PolicyKenya ICT Policy 2000 None 2001 PRSP 2002 None 2003 ERS (brief bullets) 2004 At last, we hope… and

an e-Gov strategy already

Necessary, but not sufficient

Those wonderful RwandeseThose wonderful Rwandese 2001: WSIS-compliant, ECA-enabled 2001-5 ICT policy and plan approved by cabinet Now implementing: learning from doing President as champion Rwanda IT Authority (RITA) Presidential ICT adviser Government retreat to harmonise ICT priorities and resources Dec 2004: All senior civil servants to be IT literate and connected… or ‘they won’t be there’

and…and…

Full telcom liberalisation (VSAT*, VOIP)Universal service fundUnified utilities regulatorAll ICT products zero tax rated

*Any ISP can have a VSAT

international gateway

ie, they have…ie, they have…a policya plan a championa homeresources

… and they’re moving

Private sector and others - Private sector and others - filling the vacuumfilling the vacuum

CSK, TESPOK, ITSA, KIS, ISACA, CCOAK, KISE, E-Commerce Association

NSE, KEPSA, ICT Board/KIF

Not to mention:Civil societyResearch and academic institutionsDevelopment partners

KIF Vision and MissionKIF Vision and MissionVision

To achieve a high quality of life for Kenyans, and national competitiveness,

by stimulating effective ICT policy, strategy and usage

MissionTo partner with other stakeholders in advising and influencing government to develop & implement

an effective national ICT strategy

KIF’s horizontal partnershipsKIF’s horizontal partnerships

Sister KEPSA Boards Civil Society Research & academic institutions Government Development partners International AITEC

Inclusive

Vertical integration Vertical integration

KEPSA

KIF

Constituent Associations

Support & Escalation

NOT duplication or competition

Bottom up strategy Bottom up strategy from sectors:from sectors:

the KIF/IDRC programmethe KIF/IDRC programmeOutputs ICT committees for KEPSA Sector Boards ICT sector strategies Proof of concept project proposals

Awareness and EmpowermentMobilisation and support

Integration and SynergyMotivation and Enthusiasm

KIF also worries about...KIF also worries about...

Cost-justified budget/MTEF proposalsInfrastructureStandards and syllabie-CommerceICT export servicesOffice equipment

Other KIF valuesOther KIF values

Focus on reducing the digital divide,

on wealth creation, on competitiveness...

and hence on poverty reduction

Learning by doing

Results and impact

Relating to governmentRelating to government

Ups and downsYearning for earlier, deeper

more sustained engagement

Roles as defined in draftRoles as defined in draftNational ICT PolicyNational ICT Policy

Government– Enabling policies, conducive to private sector investment

Development partners– Build capacity, in collaboration with GoK

Civil society– Inform policy making (access, learning, poverty, governance)

……and and Consumers

– Participate in development, application, setting standards; ensuring consumer protection

Regulator– Issue licences– Tariffs, interconnections– Standards– Frequency management; numbering;.ke domain

… … and the private sector and the private sector

Investors, operators, service providers– Develop an efficient ICT sector– Commercial integrity – Strong corporate governance– High quality standards– Participate in provision of universal access

Stern parent - Naughty child

Bottom lineBottom line

Government: makes policy

Operators: operate!

What aboutWhat aboutPublic Private Public Private

Partnerships???Partnerships???

Parent - Child

to

Adult - Adult

The way aheadThe way ahead

ICT Sector Working Group Ministerial e-Government Committees National Economic and Social Council, &

Sector Economic and Social Councils National ICT Advisory Council… or ‘Presidential Commission on Information Society and Development’

Where does the private sector fit in?

Composition of proposedComposition of proposedPresidential CommissionPresidential Commission

11 Permanent SecretariesCEOs of major ICT companiesNGO representativesOther relevant individuals

KEPSA / KIF / Professional Associations?

Public / Private proportion? Chair?

Current policy issuesCurrent policy issues

Properly define economic impact of ICTNext stage of telcom/Internet liberalisatione-Commerce masterplan/legislatione-Government Human resource development

– work force of today– work force of tomorrow

From policy to strategyFrom policy to strategy

Policy:

Vision, principles and guidelines

Strategy:

Implementation plan -

who’s got to do what by when;

benefits and cost

Strategy prioritiesStrategy priorities

National champion; e-envoyHigh-level, one-stop government homeHuman and financial resources

Legislation and regulationLiberalisation and privatisationProof of concept projects

Operationalising strategyOperationalising strategy

Mobilising/integrating the partnersThink tank for issue managementProject facilitationPerformance management (M&E)Strategy reviews/updatesCapacity buildingResource mobilisation

ICT - still a minority sportICT - still a minority sport

We need all the help

we can get