Digital economy blueprint

 

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To Enable SMEs to have access to a broad knowl-

edge of ICT solutions, we will expand and intensify 

our consultation services with Digitisation Guides

 

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Develop new initiatives and funding programmes 

for non-technical innovations because they are 

also important drivers of new digital business 

models.

 

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Strengthen the digitisation process by matching 

established companies with start-ups and research 

organisations and with best-practice examples 

(businesses learning from each other).

9.6 CREATING EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL 

TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT 

AND INNOVATION

This Blueprint’s vision is for Kenya to become a re-

gional and global Innovation Leader driving a strong 

sustainable economy and a better society. Research, 

development, science and technology will all con-

tribute to this goal; and this Blueprint sets out the 

roadmap to deliver on our vision whilst  focusing on 

excellence, talent and impact in research and develop-

ment. We remain committed to maintaining and im-

proving standards in the excellence of our research. 

People are our biggest asset. As one of East African 

countries with the highest proportion of young peo-

ple, we have the opportunity to nurture this talent to 

best serve the needs of our society and economy. We 

will continue to ensure that research is supported in 

strategically important areas that have an impact on 

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9.0  IMPLEMENTING THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

the economy and  society. This includes research that 

has direct relevance for the enterprise base, and meets 

the needs of society, including improving the quality 

of our public services; protecting the environment, 

our natural resources and the climate; and ensuring 

food security and sustainability of energy supply.

Innovation plays a central role in driving productiv-

ity growth and fostering competitiveness in a global 

world where knowledge and innovation are critical 

factors for the advanced economies. Innovation con-

tributes significantly to employment, export and in-

vestment growth; the competitiveness of indigenous 

enterprise; embedding the Foreign Direct Investment 

base in Kenya; and the creation and application of 

new knowledge and technology spillovers.

Innovation is also crucial for social development. 

This Blueprint aims also to promote quality research 

in national and global challenges and to support rapid 

absorption of innovation into public policy and public 

service delivery. Developing the talents of our popu-

lation is an underlying aim of this strategy and will 

be critical to the successful realization of our national 

vision, giving Kenya the capacity to exploit opportu-

nities both established and emerging. Our success in 

delivering on the ambition in this strategy will depend 

on our people - undertaking the research, working in 

and creating successful enterprises, and contributing 

to the society in which we live.