By Lauryne Akoth
President William Ruto has stated that the government is enacting fresh laws and policies aimed at fostering the development of IT-enabled services within the nation.
The objective, the President announced, is for these measures to help the government unlock opportunities in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services sector.
Consequently, the government is enhancing the country’s competitiveness and aligning it with global standards to accelerate the growth of the BPO market and other IT-enabled services.
The goal, he noted, is to scale up government investments in the relevant infrastructure, including the national broadband and digital hubs, to create jobs for at least one million digital workers in the next five years.
“We are determined to claim our fair share of the BPO pie for the benefit of our young men and women who are eager to contribute to growing our economy,” he said.
He highlighted that Kenya’s advantage lies in its abundant, skilled young workforce, government policies prioritizing the digital economy as a crucial aspect of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, an education system emphasizing digital skills, a strategic geographical location in line with global time zones, and proficiency in English, a language widely utilized in major economies.
President Ruto made the remarks during the launch of Call Centre International (CCI) Global Contact Centre at Tatu City in Ruiru, Kiambu County, which has already created more than 5,000 jobs.
Present were Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano and Eliud Owalo, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, and United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, among others.
The President said the government is strengthening existing laws to create a conducive environment for the ICT-BPO industry to thrive.
“Our goal is to develop sector-specific legislation that aligns with international standards in the short, medium, and long term,” he said.
Government efforts in strengthening the sector, President Ruto explained, include enforcing BPO standards that meet international best practices, updating fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to keep pace with technological advancements, and investing in green energy.
He said the government is also working with the private sector in enhanced skills training for Kenyan youth to ensure that they are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to fostering a thriving, sustainable, and globally competitive BPO sector in Kenya,” affirmed the head of state.
The President appealed to investors to collaborate with the government in its digital hubs programme for BPO operations to succeed and expand.