[kictanet] Kenya's Tech Startup scene leaves investors underwhelmed

[S.M. Muraya]

@ali Wishing you and KICTANET a Blessed 2015.

First, we do not need or want foreign investors who think we lack talent.
If they cannot find talent, maybe they can help produce it locally. And
yes, some of us are doing our best (even if at a loss) to make sure we
produce more talent in Kenya.

More than we need foreigner investors, we need to practice more integrity.
If we allocate to Business Process Automation, 5% of the National Budget +
County Budgets, there is no way our IT industry will fail to innovate and
grow. Where Automation fails (after 24-36 months), public officials should
be sent packing along with the contracted IT firm. IT firms should also be
careful to gather evidence of sabotage by public officials.

The lowest quotation will never provide the highest quality. The highest
quotation may also not provide the best value (including producing local
talent + ethical leadership). It is should be obvious, IT firms owned/led
by locals are the safest bet for projects running up to 5 years.
More interesting thoughts here...
http://www.computerworld.com/article/2488647/it-management/gates-sees-software-replacing-people--greenspan-calls-for-more-h-1bs.html


Regards

Murigi / Stanley Muraya

*"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one
who takes a city." Prov 16:32*

On Sun, Jan 4, 2015 at 10:52 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Listers
>
> A lot of discussions in this area over the last few years. Are the
> chickens coming home to roost?
>
> Have we focused too much on competitions, donor funded money and shared
> spaces and a lot less on commercially viable ideas/nurturing what is there
> towards commercial exploitation?
>
> My sense is that we now need to move to 3.0 to enable realize the
> potential of our startups.
>
> Read on:-
>
>
> http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Kenya-s-technology-push-leaves-investors-cold/-/539550/2574220/-/13qkohy/-/index.html
>
>
> http://www.gsmaentrepreneurshipkenya.com/GSMA_KENYA-AR2014-060214-WEB-SINGLE-PGS.pdf
>
>
> *Ali Hussein*
>
> +254 770 906375 / 0713 601113
>
> Twitter: @AliHKassim
>
> Skype: abu-jomo
>
> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim
> <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim>
>
> Blog: www.alyhussein.com
>
> "I fear the day technology will surpass human interaction. The world will
> have a generation of idiots".  ~ Albert Einstein
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
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