East Africa concerned about slow information technology growth

EAST Africa’s economic giant, Kenya, is concerned about the slow rate of information technology (IT) advancement in the country and Africa as a whole.

In an exclusive interview on Thursday, a top government official, Barry Wanjigu, said while technological issues were a major issue in the country, other challenges that needed attention were high foreign debt, declining resources, alarming population growth, environmental degradation and stagnant social infrastructural development.

“Until such a time Kenya and Africa as a whole can address these challenges, I can not see an end to slow development in information technology.

“It is my hope that some of the weaknesses will be eliminated soon. The only way to improve information technology is connectivity as well as increasing internet accessibility throughout the country,” said Wanjigu.

He said lowering costs of hardware and software, among them connectivity, were the main challenges Kenya had to address in order to boost its information and technology research in the country.

“I am encouraging research and increasing e-commerce readiness and use of information technology strengths, especially in Kenya, which is now enjoying political stability and this is vital in any country that is trying to advance.

“Internet use is growing rapidly in Kenya and has one of the largest internet sectors on the African continent with more than 30 licensed ISPs.

“The internet is available in universities, internet cafes, community information centres and public libraries. More importantly, the privatisation of Telkom Kenya was another positive move aimed at harnessing technology,” said Wanjigu.

BRIAN ADERO , Nairobi