Kenya’s ICT sector leaps forward with Microsoft partnership

The Principal Secretary of the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui has hosted a delegation of high-profile representatives from Microsoft Africa at his office. Their collaborative effort aims to bring in a new era of technological innovation and efficiency within the Kenyan public sector.

The meeting saw the participation of key figures, including Microsoft Africa's President, Ms. Lillian Barnard, GM of Public Sector Africa, Mr. Kunle Awosika, and the Country Manager for Kenya, Ms. Phyllis Migwi. The delegation was complemented by a team from LinkedIn and the CEO of the ICT Authority, Mr. Stanley Kamanguya, PMP, OGW.

The discussions centred around strategies that promise to revolutionize the approach to technology within the public sector. Microsoft's commitment to scaling technology solutions across various domains was highlighted, with a primary focus on empowering the government through the provision of necessary technological tools. A significant aspect of this partnership involves the digital skilling of government employees, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills required for enhanced service delivery.

Recognizing the importance of a skilled workforce in navigating the complexities of the digital age, through targeted training programs, Microsoft aims to enhance the technological capabilities of the workforce, ensuring that they can leverage cutting-edge solutions for more efficient and effective service delivery. This investment in human capital aligns with the broader goal of building a digitally literate and adept public sector.

A crucial aspect of the collaboration involves accelerating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the public sector. The delegation explored ways to leverage existing frameworks to facilitate a seamless digital transformation.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye