Kenya: State initiates plan to optimize digital trade for expansion

The Ministry of Trade, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), has collaboratively unveiled the national e-commerce strategy. This comprehensive guide aims to facilitate and enhance the country’s online trade, providing preferential measures to streamline processes and foster growth in the digital commerce sector.

This collaborative initiative is geared towards promoting innovation and inclusivity to enhance the overall landscape of trade, with the ultimate goal of improvement.

It includes the advancement of digital skills among both the workforce and entrepreneurs, achieved through enhanced Internet connectivity. Additionally, there is a focus on nationwide development of e-commerce-related infrastructure to address and alleviate the digital divide, particularly among gender, rural, and urban demographics.

The strategy aims at fostering a dynamic and tech-savvy business environment that capitalizes on modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, 3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Motion pictures, biotechnology, Genomics and Nanotechnology are other key focus areas under the plan, with the ministry saying they are the basis of the fourth industrial revolution.

Trade Permanent Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, hailed the approach saying it is aligned with the government’ Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Kenya Vision 2030.

“It underscores Kenya’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for e-commerce as an enabler of domestic and export trade for enhanced income generation, employment creation and poverty reduction,” K’Ombudo said.

John Tanui, the Permanent Secretary of ICT, highlighted that this initiative will play a pivotal role in addressing the existing gender gap in the sector. Additionally, it aims to confront the persistent challenge of youth unemployment, offering a strategic approach to alleviate this pressing concern.

This initiative represents a collaborative effort involving the government, private sector, and industry experts.