In a bid to position Kenya as a unique creative economy hub destination, the government has committed to spending Sh15.1 billion in developing the digital superhighway, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof Edward Kisiang’ani noted.
Speaking at the Konza Technopolis Creative Economy Conference held at Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi, the PS emphasized the government’s efforts to streamline the creative sector by implementing favorable tax regulations and financing policies.
Prof Kisiang’ani encouraged stakeholders in the creative economy to utilize technology and innovation to generate more employment opportunities and stimulate the country’s economic growth.
The creative economy includes sub-sectors like crafts, performing arts, design (fashion), photography, music industry, interior design, visual artists, and film/motion capture just to mention but a few.
Also, the government is seeking financial support from the private sector to further develop the creatives, while inviting the sector to leverage its facilities such as the digital superhighway and the Konza Technopolis Data Centre.
“Creative sector is a multi-billion industry. The government is committed to supporting the creative economy to generate more job opportunities for individuals and institutions. This sector presents a positive prospect for creating jobs for Kenyans, as the government alone cannot employ everyone. We are currently reviewing tax regulations to optimize and streamline them. We aim to promote the creative industry rather than burden it with excessive taxes. We are also addressing legal matters to ensure proper checks and balances in the sector, protecting privacy while advancing the creative economy,” said the PS.
The PS noted that they are looking at the possibility of giving upcoming creatives more support such as data storage and financial support from private partners.
Also, the government official reiterated that the rolling-out of 25,000 hotspots in the 47 counties is ongoing and creatives across the country should seize opportunities along such projects which 52 percent will be installed by the government and the private sector will cater for the rest.
On his end, Acting Chief Executive Officer CEO Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), John Paul Okwiri noted that they are supporting creative startups at the National Tier III data center with one-year free hosting given to building a sustainable media city project.
He said, “There is a demand for opportunities from the youth. With our advanced data center, we are providing storage opportunities for the youth in the creative economy. For all startups, we are offering one year of hosting. That’s why we organized this conference – to showcase these opportunities.”
He noted that KoTDA is in the process of developing the Digital Media City which will focus on developing a media hub at Konza Technopolis.
The Konza Digital Media City is envisioned to provide an ecosystem that promotes training, research, and innovation in the digital media and entertainment industries in Kenya and the African region.
During the event Founder and CEO of Art at Work Limited, Roy Gitahi stressed the need to strengthen the partnerships and collaborations in the creative sector for more opportunities.
“What we found at Konza (National data center) is something the private sector cannot build easily. But is it important because all this content can be placed at the center and we can explore avenues of monetizing the data? This is something that the private and public sector must partner to drive,” Mr Gitahi noted.
Also in attendance was Mr Timothy Owase the CEO of Kenya Film Commission, Joel Omalwa the Acting CEO of Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), Music Copyright Society of Kenya CEO, Dr Ezekiel Mutua and Wesley Maritim, Director of Administration, State Department of ICT.
Partners included Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Under Our Skin, Decimal Media, Wabuuni Sacco, Art At Work and Thunderbird School of Global Management, seeking to identify strategic interventions which address the players who will enable the monetization of the creative economy through digital superhighway, specifically the role of Konza Technopolis and its partners in supporting a vibrant creative economy in the Country.
Creatives were urged to formalize their work, register, keep records, join saccos, work with like-minded and familiarize themselves with laws manning the sector to enable them to exploit the benefits of the industry.
Lack of capital or funding has been stated to be the biggest challenge in the sector, hindering creatives to reap the full benefit of their work. However, partners in the fintech sector noted that there are various funds to help creatives, urging the artists to follow the correct channels to acquire them.
Music producer and creative at Decimal, Eric Musyoka outlined that changes like investing in new institutions, upgrading their modules tailoring them to meet the needs, facilitating workshops or conducting masterclasses, and adopting international standard operating procedure, business modules, accreditation, and standardizations; will play a bigger role in catalyzing the success of the sector.
“E-learning modules, data centers, remote servicing, creating a skilled workforce, entrepreneurs and content for export are some of the driving forces. Also, being able to attract foreign investment, becoming producers instead of consumers and solving perennial social issues and identity retention will lead the sector to great change.”
The media has been urged to set technology and digitization as the center of their talks to ensure masses receive the information on advancement in the field.
