[kictanet] Kenyan Diaspora Conference - a mini report

[Matunda Nyanchama]

I had sought some input from the list on what I would raise in my panel 
whose focus was on the state of ICT in Kenya and associated 
opportunities of the Diaspora. It was full house given we had 5 people 
to share one hour, we didn't do much justice to the presenters. We have 
sent feedback to the organizers (the Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC) to better structure such events in the future. Indeed, it is unfair for 
people to travel across the Atlantic prepared to speak for one+ hours 
only to get 5 mins, exactly what happened in all sessions. This 
conference was, realistically a 4~5 day affair.


That said, the event was attended by more than 500 people with close to 200 
turned away because of failure to register in time. (And contrary to 
media reports, President Obama wasn't in the invited list; the embassy 
had requested presence of the First Lady but her calendar was fully 
booked, a matter she communicated in time.)

The conference was a great networking event; and the energy in the place was palpable! The attendance was higher than we have come to expect of 
Kenyan conferences and expectations were even higher. 

Sessions (plenary and breakout) were packed as attendees sought 
information, ideas, issues, etc on how to get engaged in the country's 
affairs. And the speakers did superbly. Vision 2030 was at the centre of the presentation and director, Mugo Kibati gave a good update on where 
the process is at the moment.  

I must say that many in the Diaspora weren't even aware of such projects 
as Konza City, the Northern Corridor infrastructure project, the Urban 
Commuter Rail project in Greater Nairobi, and more. There were update on the reform process, dual citizenship, national integration, and more. 
Discussions also centred on collaboration (business, academia, etc) 
between the Diaspora and going beyond remittances (estimated to be $1.7 
billion last year) and some companies, notably CIS offering products 
targeted at the Diaspora market. The scope of companies presenting 
ranged from ICT, financing, and more.

We also had a chance to honour the late Wangari Maathai (RIP); the 
tributes were moving and if only dead people could speak, she would 
choose to stay alive and enjoy the glory and adoration accorded her.

We heard of success cases spearheaded by the Diaspora, e.g.. the gentleman that influenced GE to locate its headquarters in Nairobi.

As indicated, I chaired the ICT panel where, among others Eunice Kariuki 
represented the ICT Board. Despite time constraints she gave a superb 
report on what is happening in this sphere and especially the exciting 
Konza City! (Here presentation is attached). Of interest from the same 
panel is a presentation (also attached) by Akumu of Intelsat on use of 
vsat technology to penetrate rural Kenya. 

In my opening remarks I talked about the $196 billion "unclaimed" BPO 
market, really a tip of the iceberg of the size of the market, which is 
approx $500 billion. I have also seen reports that the Kenyan ICT market is approx $700 million annually! And my challenge was to the Diaspora 
to help ensure this duly benefits the nation. And they can contribute as investors, managers (given all the skills they have acquired), 
researchers and more.

I also cited challenges with our Kenyan market:  corruption (the cost of 
doing business?), infrastructure (remember those traffic jams), 
unreliable power (what with blackouts), corporate taxes (33%), business 
registration that takes longer than in many countries, compliance and 
reporting procedures (too many!); and lengthy dispute resolution. All 
these act as disincentives to investment and need keen attention from 
authorities.

Finally, my reading is that the Kenyan Renaissance is underway; we position 
ourselves well and we will take off; we fail to do so and we may not 
recover. The analogy if that of torrential rains which if harnessed can 
generate power, irrigate farms, provide clean drinking water, etc; and 
if not harnessed can cause floods and associated havoc. 
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Matunda Nyanchama, PhD, CISSP; mnyanchama at aganoconsulting.com
Agano Consulting Inc.;  www.aganoconsulting.com; Twitter: nmatunda;  Skype: okiambe
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