ICT PS Hosts US Delegation for High-Level Talks on Digital Economy, Sustainable Development
- Former US diplomat Jendayi Frazer held high-level talks with Kenya’s ICT PS John Tanui, focusing on practical ways to boost Africa’s economic growth
- Their discussions explored bold solutions to Africa’s digital and economic challenges, from AI innovation to attracting private investment in infrastructure
- A possible Kenya-Stanford partnership was also discussed, with an eye on research collaboration and tech-based development
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
A bold conversation on Africa’s digital future unfolded in Nairobi on Thursday, July 10.
Source: Facebook
The Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, John Tanui, hosted Jendayi Frazer, a former US assistant secretary of state for African affairs and currently a Duignan distinguished visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
What brought Jendayi Frazer to Kenya?
Frazer is co-leader of the Hoover Institution’s Working Group on Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMWG).
Her visit aimed to deepen conversations on how Africa can tap into data-driven strategies to foster inclusive and sustainable growth.
In her engagement with Tanui, she shared forward-looking initiatives designed to reduce inequality, handle economic volatility, and address technological disruption in emerging markets.
Among the highlights was the Infrastructure Financing Initiative, a programme designed to bring in private sector capital for sustainable infrastructure by strengthening the use of reliable data.
Another was the AI-powered Capacity Building Platform, a tech tool being developed to help anticipate and reduce risks in fragile economies.
What opportunities were discussed for Kenya and the continent?
Tanui and Frazer agreed that there is enormous potential to accelerate Africa’s economic and digital transformation. Their conversation touched on several priority areas.
They discussed unlocking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by deepening regional integration and improving trade facilitation mechanisms. This, they said, would enhance intra-African trade and strengthen economic ties across the continent.
They also explored the need to bridge Africa’s persistent data gap. Improving the quality and availability of data, Dr Frazer noted, would enhance risk assessment, lower the cost of capital, and attract more investment into vital sectors.
On youth empowerment, both leaders underscored the importance of supporting youth-led enterprises and increasing access to quality jobs. This, they said, could be achieved through a stronger focus on entrepreneurship and attracting foreign direct investment that supports innovation and job creation.
Another area of discussion was the expansion of Africa’s digital economy. The two emphasised the importance of broadband connectivity, the adoption of AI-powered solutions, and the development of digital skills to help citizens thrive in the 21st-century economy.
They also considered the potential of building global knowledge partnerships. A key idea floated was linking the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST) with Stanford University to encourage innovation, research collaboration, and technology transfer.
Source: Facebook
Is there a long-term partnership in the works?
The meeting concluded with discussions on establishing a formal partnership between the Ministry of ICT and the Hoover Institution.
The envisioned collaboration would focus on joint research, as well as implementing practical policies and investment programmes to benefit Kenya and the wider African region.
Tanui thanked Frazer for her deep commitment to Africa’s development and expressed Kenya’s readiness to work together on bold initiatives aimed at reshaping the continent’s digital and economic future.
Why did Konza invite Japan’s tech giants?
In a related development, Konza Technopolis recently welcomed Japan’s top tech companies to explore business opportunities within its Special Economic Zones.
The move was part of a high-level Kenya-Japan workshop held at the Smart City on June 26, aimed at boosting Kenya’s digital economy.
Firms like Hitachi, NEC, Toyota Tsusho, SoftBank, and Rakuten joined the discussions, which focused on innovation, infrastructure, and smart technologies.
Kenya used the platform to showcase investment potential and pitch partnerships that align with its Vision 2030 agenda.
The ICT Ministry emphasised that these collaborations are expected to create jobs and build digital skills among Kenyan youth.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
