Kenya’s ICT Authority (ICTA) has forged a strategic partnership with Microsoft East Africa Limited, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a ceremony observed by Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT & the Digital Economy.

The agreement aims to bolster Kenya’s digital transformation, aligning with the objectives of the Kenyan Digital Economy Blueprint. Microsoft is set to collaborate with the National Government, various ministries, departments, and agencies under ICT Authority, working towards a comprehensive framework expected to be finalized by February 2024.

Key to this MoU is Microsoft’s commitment to support the Kenyan Government in adopting a Cloud-First strategy, revolutionizing public service delivery through technological integration, and enhancing the efficiency of e-government services.

PS Eng. Tanui commended the partnership as a critical step in accelerating Kenya’s digital economy, noting the country’s progress in digitizing over 14,000 government services. He emphasized the importance of this collaboration in further developing the digital sector and called for support for local innovators and startups.

Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of ICT Authority, expressed gratitude towards Microsoft for the timely partnership, highlighting its potential to boost cybersecurity awareness, digital skills, and key technology areas essential for a robust digital sector. This collaboration is seen as a pivotal contribution to the development of digital skills and other ICT pillars, strengthening Kenya’s digital economy.

Kunle Awosika, Head of Public Sector in Africa at Microsoft, conveyed the company’s enthusiasm for creating a conducive environment for government departments to make informed technology and cloud platform choices through ICT Authority. Phyllis Migwi, Country Manager of Microsoft in Kenya, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of Microsoft’s services and products in enhancing the government’s digital transformation agenda.

The ICT Authority, entrusted with managing the government’s ICT functions, views this partnership as a significant milestone in its mission. The collaboration between the ICT Authority and Microsoft is a testament to the growing importance of digital infrastructure in national development and the potential for public-private partnerships to drive substantial progress in the digital realm.