Chinese firm pledges to digitize Kenyan counties

Chinese telecom giant Huawei will support digitization of Kenyan counties through investment in broadband infrastructure and training of information and communication technology (ICT) personnel, executives said Tuesday.

Dean Yu, Huawei Kenya CEO, said the company has partnered with county governments to install fiber optic cables in order to expand internet penetration in rural towns.

"Huawei is providing affordable equipment and devices to help Kenyan counties implement their digitization programs. We are building on our expertise and global experience to help digitize counties," Yu said in Nairobi at a national broadband forum organized by Huawei and Kenya ICT Authority.

Policymakers, industry executives and experts, who attended the forum, agreed that Kenyan counties must develop robust policies and explore new financing models to accelerate internet penetration.

The company said it would support the implementation of Kenya's ICT master-plan that roots for speedy migration of key government functions into electronic platforms.

Yu said Huawei has partnered with the county governments to digitize health, education sectors alongside registration of new businesses.

"We have helped Kenyan counties to migrate their operations to digital platforms. Critical documents can now be accessed electronically in these counties," he told reporters.

He revealed Huawei will partner with the Kenyan ICT ministry to accelerate the implementation of a national broadband strategy that aims to expand coverage to high speed internet connection in the country.

Besides investing in broadband infrastructure in the counties, Huawei has provided technical training to Kenyan youth to enable them to participate in the country's digital transformation.

Yu noted that tech savvy youth have assisted county governments digitize their key operations like issuance of business permits, land title deeds and identity cards.

"We have been recruiting students from universities and colleges to join our internship program every year. The training program has improved their skills in ICT to enable them become active players in Kenya's digital transition," he said. Enditem