University of Nairobi with the support of Microsoft and ICT Authority, has today released a baseline survey on cloud computing and its impact in Kenya.
The project was make stakeholders in Kenya understand the status of cloud computing and its supporting technologies with and intention of learning more about the future of the technology in Kenya.
According to the report, there is was relatively low awareness of cloud computing policy framework in Kenya by respondents and that government would also need to fast track the enactment of key policies addressing cyber security, data protection and privacy in order to increase confidence in the adoption of cloud services in the country.
Kunle Awosika, Microsoft Country Manager noted that an increasing number of companies and government organizations are turning to cloud services to increase the productivity of their workforce.
“We are seeing widespread adoption of cloud-based email services and productivity tools like Office 365, which enable “always-on” access to emails and files from virtually anywhere. Businesses are also running CRM, HR, accounting and custom enterprise applications in the cloud. Cloud computing can benefit governments in three areas: increasing national competitiveness, enhancing citizen services and driving down costs,” he said.
Cloud computing is just a few years old in Kenya yet it has taken over many organizations. The report says that the private cloud (39 percent) has become more popular than the public cloud (22 percent). 57 percent of the research respondents indicated they adopted cloud technology in either 2010 or 2011.
The Kenyan Market is ready for cloud technology but most of them lack the technical skills, have misunderstandings or even do not know what cloud is all about, this covers about 90 percent.
The research was unveiled by Ministry of ICT Principal Secretary Joseph Tiampati represented by Brown Otunga Deputy Principal Secretary who said the government would champion the adoption of cloud computing by organizations.
“By adopting the cloud, the government would set pace for a better uptake by the private sector. By providing services through the cloud, the it is likely to improve overall quality of service delivery”, said Tiampati,
Cloud computing has the potential to catalyze job growth and spur sustained economic growth, in part by facilitating a knowledge economy. With immediate, affordable access to high-power computing resources, businesses, including small and midsize companies (SMBs/SMEs), can bring to market innovative products faster and more cheaply than ever before. The software economy will particularly benefit because developers everywhere can participate in the global IT market, regardless of the local technology industry infrastructure.
Some of these challenges faced in cloud technology growth call for industry action, some require government action, and many will involve the active collaboration of consumers, industry and government. Partly, it’s about removing unnecessary regulatory obstacles to cloud deployment and uptake. But, mostly, it’s about building confidence in the cloud.
“We see opportunities for government to help move cloud computing forward in three areas: Infrastructure and Skills, Regulatory Environment and Government Leadership”, concluded Awosika.
