Kenya has entered the new decade with renewed and
stronger-than-expected growth, courtesy of ICTs. The latest economic forecast by the World Bank shows Kenya could
see an economic growth rate of more than 6 per cent in 2011, largely due to the
revolution in the country’s information and telecommunications sector, strong
macroeconomic management and investment in public infrastructure.
In its Vision 2030, the Kenyan Government identified ICT as a key
economic pillar, with Business Processing and Outsourcing a key flagship
project. Already, the Government has spent Sh1 billion to purchase 5,000
acres of land (the Malili Ranch), where it intends to put up an ICT park to
house BPOs and other ICT businesses.
Dr Bitange Ndemo, the Permanent Secretary for Information and
Communication, says the Master Plan is ready and developers will soon hit the
ground. The next phase is market sounding for master developers to express
interest. The Government will start foundational and basic infrastructure in
2011.