ICT Authority, Governemnt of Netherlands in US$ 1.2 million funding project for the ICT sector

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Kenyan IT & ITES companies are set to benefit from a US$ 1.2 million grant from the Governemnet of Netherlands that will see their export competitiveness enhanced through the promotion of high value IT&ITES exports and the establishment of long-term business relationships.

Yetsterday, the Information Communication Technology Authority (ICTA), through the Ministry of ICT today signed for the 3-year funding project that will also go towards the implementation of the ICT Masterplan 2017.

Through the programme that mostly targets the women and youth, 33 Kenyan ICT start-ups and SME’s that aplied back in November will be supported in expanding and launching their businesses in foreign markets.

Other benefits include Training and advisory services e.g. on export marketing and access to finance, Market linkages through facilitating B2B matchmaking events in Europe and Africa as well as participation in trade fairs organized in Kenya and/or target IT&ITES markets and Promotion activities through online and offline media.

Mr Victor Kyalo, Ag. Chief Executive Officer, ICT Authority, “Building the capacity of Kenyan ICT companies hinges on our ability to not only put the right policies and strategies in place, but in forming definitive partnerships.  At the ICT Authority, we are honored to partner with the Netherlands Trust Fund project in realizing our vision of being an ICT leader in Africa. I also congratulate the 33 companies that now have the opportunity to expand to other markets.” 

This initiative is supported by the Netherlands Trust Fund phase III (NTF III), which is a programme funded by the Dutch government and which is a three-year partnership agreement between the Kenya, Ministry of Information Communications and Technology, International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI).

“Kenya is in a unique position to export business services within East Africa and the rest of the world, Said Mr. Prof. Rob Van Eijbergen, Special Representative International Relations, Centre for Promotion of Imports (CBI).The programme will conduct similar activities in Bangladesh, Kenya and Uganda, he added.”