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Kenya’s ICT sector output grew by 13 percent in 2018 from KSh345 billion to KSh390 billion. The growth was largely supported by the expanding digital economy. In the past few years, Kenya has undergone a digital transformation which has contributed to remarkable growth in the financial sector, telecommunications industry, and E-commerce.
The Ministry of Information Communications and Technology, in partnership with other stakeholders in the ICT industry recently unveiled a
digital economy blueprint to help push economic growth. Kenya is counting on the digital sector to propel the nation from a low middle-income economy to an emerging markets economy.
According to the report, “A digital economy offers Kenya a leapfrogging opportunity on economic development.” Development of the ICT sector will lead to the creation of 21st-century job opportunities, reduced operating expenses for businesses, enhanced service delivery, and less corruption.
In the report, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of ICT Joe Mucheru stated, “The digital economy will connect you to the world, your goods, services, and expertise will be accessible across borders, opening up markets and catapulting Kenya to join 1st world markets…”
The document produced by the ICT Ministry notes that advancement in the digital economy will be founded on five pillars which are; digital government, digital business, infrastructure, innovative entrepreneurship, and digital skills and values.
