Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, has been selected as a Member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Digital Innovation Board.
The Digital Innovation Board is one of the vehicles of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development under the ITU, aimed at accelerating the bridging of the digital innovation divide.
Speaking during the launch of the 2nd ATU Preparatory meeting for WTSA-24 on Monday, Owalo said the government recognises ICTs as the driver of the digital transformation of the country’s economy.
The Digital Innovation Board also provides support to ITU membership on their journey towards an equitable digital future for all.
“The government has identified its key ICT priorities in various documents, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The Government of Kenya is counting on ICTs to address various societal challenges, such as unemployment, poverty, and public delivery constraints,” said Owalo
“Our Digital Transformation Agenda also includes building a resilient infrastructure through the expansion of our broadband infrastructure, enhancing digital skills for digital jobs, connecting our people through public Wi-Fi, and creating an enabling legal, policy, and regulatory environment for entrepreneurship while promoting innovation and securing cyberspace,” he added.
The Digital Innovation Board is expected to provide strategic guidance, expertise and advocacy regarding the initiative’s mission of building critical local enablers and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development, aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all.
“I am confident that, with the guidance of the Board, we will accelerate the implementation of the Kigali Action Plan under the mandate of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D),” said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director, Telecommunication Development Bureau.
