[kictanet] Local software now set for exponential growth.:

[Gakuru Alex]

[Business Daily]
Experts praise new State guidelines on IT budgets
Written by Okuttah Mark
October 20, 2008:

Government institutions will be required to spend half of their IT
budgets in the local market in a move meant to promote software
development.
...
With the growth of mobile phone industry and the increase of Internet
usage in the country, the move could also spur more innovative
software on mobile phone applications for education, commerce and
health.

Information and Communication minister, Samuel Poghisio, says the
decision was aimed at boosting the local industry as well as creating
job opportunities.

Mr Poghisio asked the multinationals in ICT industry to offer special
development tools, training, certification and marketing support to
local software developers.

"The Government is keen on promoting local software development by
encouraging a scheme to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Government
software procurement is sourced from local developers," said Mr
Poghisio.
<http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10707&Itemid=5847>
---excerpt--

This move closely follows Linux Professional Association of Kenya
research that established that approximately 99% of government
software was proprietary clearly marking the beginning of public
sector software procurement correction alongside, expected Free and
Open Source Software (FOSS) benefiting much;)

Due salutes to the Minister and Permament Secretary.

Sincerely,

Alex