Technology has the power to enhance livelihoods across the globe. In Kenya, initiatives like the “Strengthening Digital Communities” project have shown remarkable success in empowering local agripreneurs through digital skills.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Digital Development Strategy (DDS) 2024-2030 and Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) offer frameworks for leveraging technology to drive economic growth and improve lives.
The DDS emphasises the importance of digital inclusion, ensuring that everyone has access to digital technologies and the skills to use them effectively.
This approach can be applied in Kenya by expanding digital literacy programs, especially in rural areas, to bridge the digital divide and enhance economic opportunities.
UK-AID’s Mr Charles Juma (UK-Digital Access Program Country Lead and Advisor)m is being implemented in 6 countries – Kenya, Uganda, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil and Nigeria.
“Through this project, we are trying to sell the models to ensure sustainability and scalability,” said Charles in Bumula where SoteHub was conducting a validation exercise for over 200 citizens.
“We hope it will result in having social entrepreneurs and making business, proof of the concept.”
The Strengthening Digital Communities project is led by KICTANet with support from the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme through the British High Commission in Nairobi, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the County Governments of Busia and Mandera and various partners, aims to improve digital skills and access in the country.
Mwendwa Kivuva, Admin and Finance, KICTANet appreciated the Busia County leadership, and downstream partners for the efforts placed to achieve the milestone.
Kenya’s Experience with Digital Transformation
Digital Skills for Agripreneurs
The project has equipped agripreneurs with digital tools, enabling them to enhance business operations, market products more effectively, and engage with customers through digital platforms.
This digital literacy has improved their ability to make informed decisions, manage finances, and expand their market reach.
“So, currently we are developing business plans. We expect the business plans are going to lead us or to propel us from one level to another, to another level,” says Nicholas Kisambu, of the Bunyala Industrial Park where he makes animal feeds and is part of the Plusfarm program.
“So it has been a nice, nice process, and I testify that we should also reach more youth who are left behind. I have gained a lot of knowledge, especially in marketing my products.”
Impact of ICT on Agriculture
Studies have shown that the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in agriculture can lead to better decision-making, increased yields, and reduced environmental impacts.
Other beneficiaries have been able to start aquaculture, poultry farming and being able to use technology on best farming and animal breeding methods.
Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)
According to the Kenyan government, BETA aims to stimulate economic growth from the grassroots level, focusing on sectors like agriculture and small-scale entrepreneurship.
By integrating technology into these sectors, BETA can enhance productivity, improve market access, and increase incomes for rural communities.
The DDS encourages innovation and entrepreneurship by leveraging digital technologies. As a result, it aligns with BETA’s focus on empowering small-scale entrepreneurs and farmers through technology, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Kenya.
As a result, through the collaborative approach from the national and county governments, state and non-state actors, are helping address common challenges such as digital inclusion, infrastructure development, and entrepreneurship support.
Secondly, knowledge sharing facilitates mutual learning. Residents in Busia and Mandera leverage the UK’s digital development expertise to strengthen Kenya’s BETA strategy, while Kenya’s experience in applying technology for livelihood enhancement in these regions provides practical insights for the UK’s international development approaches.
Eldohub, Sotehub, and Plusfarm, through their Kenyan innovation hubs, facilitate the creation of targeted digital solutions. These solutions, such as agricultural productivity tools and digital marketplaces, address the unique needs of local communities.
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