ICT CS Officially Kicks Off The Smart Government Summit

The Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Dr Margaret Ndung’u, has officially kicked off the Smart Government Summit at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. During her key address at the event, the CS talked about the government’s plans for a technology-driven economy.

We are standing on the cusp of a new era where technology and data are not just tools but core components of governance. Kenya has made tremendous progress, with initiatives such as the Digital Superhighway, the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI), and Digital Village Smart Hubs. These advances are positioning Kenya as a leader in the digital economy,” she said in her keynote address.

She further talked about the Trust Summit, which was recently launched by the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr William Ruto. It is an initiative that is focused on strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that governments have the space to deliver services effectively. Dr Ndung’u said that the Trust Summit will address both internal and external threats to governance while restoring trust between governments and their citizens.

“With progress comes challenges. Cybersecurity, data privacy, and the digital divide are issues we must proactively address. Despite significant strides in our digital economy, Kenya still faces a persistent digital divide, especially in rural areas. Under BETA (Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda), we aim to bridge this divide by expanding digital infrastructure to all corners of the country,” she further noted.

Dr Ndung’u also highlighted about the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation which has been the scene in the country over the recent past. She said that the role of technology in informing the citizens has also evolved, especially with the growth of technologies like Generative AI.

“Additionally, we now face rising threats from misinformation and disinformation, exacerbated by digital platforms and technologies like generative AI. These challenges undermine democratic processes and erode public trust. To combat this, we need to strengthen our institutions’ ability to detect and counter false information by deploying AI-powered fact-checking tools and launching public awareness campaigns,” she noted.

“Over the past seven years, Kenya has detected over 1.7 billion cyber threats, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity policies. We must move forward with the creation of a National Cybersecurity Policy and a Cybersecurity Agency to protect our national digital infrastructure and ensure the security of our digital future.”

She also talked about the government’s ICT plan which was recently launched, after her inauguration into office. The four-year plan is set to steer the organisation in the implementation of government priority policies, programmes, and projects with a focus on the Digital Superhighway and the creative economy. The four-year plan further lays the groundwork for projects such as nationwide digital literacy programs, the expansion of secure broadband infrastructure, and the implementation of e-government services that bring public services to the fingertips of every citizen.

The CS further said that the ICT strategy will help guide the implementation and achievements of the Ministry’s projects as indicated in the National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032.

“Kenya’s ICT Masterplan 2022-2032 provides a roadmap for this, by enhancing digital infrastructure and integrating digital learning into our education system. These efforts will ensure that future generations are prepared for the demands of a tech-driven economy. It is also vital that we upskill our current workforce to harness emerging AI technologies, while being mindful of the ethical considerations,” she noted.

“This summit also provides an opportunity to reflect on the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships, such as the Open Government Partnership (OGP), in promoting transparency and inclusivity in governance. Kenya’s commitment to OGP has strengthened our open governance practices and increased citizen engagement in decision-making processes,” she concluded.

The Smart Government Summit is set for the 2^nd and 3^rd October 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Nairobi. This event has brought together key players in the government space to discuss on how to integrate technology in governance and creating a transformative change by leveraging on AI.