[kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10: Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)

Fri Jul 1 10:36:17 EAT 2016

The issue of virtual Money/BlockChains is gaining traction all over the World. I was in a meeting recently and one question that most people asked me when they learnt I was Kenyan was on what were my thoughts around block chain technology disrupting our famous mpesa. Unfortunately I had no answer for them but it got me thinking. I am glad that someone on this list shared this link https://followmyvote.com/online-voting-technology/blockchain-technology/ which explains clearly how it works, at least for those who are not conversant. It is a worthy read.
My questions:1. Considering that Kenya has taken a lead in issues of technology, should we be concerned about block chain technology considering it kinda provides a platform where no one organisation owns the data? And in light of KRA wanting to compel safaricom to share the data of its subscribers? 
2. Will it disrupt Mpesa?
3. Where is Central bank in this matter? Is central bank concerned that technology is about to change the way it does business or will it wait to make some unfortunate comment like it did recently on bloggers being responsible for the withdrawals at Chase Bank?
4. And where is Treasury in this debate? Is it concerned with financial technology?
5. Considering that this might be an idea whose time has come,  do we need policy direction on this issue? 
I believe we have an opportunity with this ICT policy to be futuristic. Ama niaje?
RgdsGG

Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2016 06:13:08 +0300
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Draft National ICT Policy Discussions Day 8 of 10: Emerging Issues ( Big Data, Bitcoin, Internet of Things)
From: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
CC: ultimateprogramer at gmail.com
To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com

I think there is a huge statement being made by Samsung with their move to Tizen, and apparently bold statements being made with regards to Android (and that Tizen will be the platform of choice). Outwardly the world will tell Samsung that they can not openly compete with Google on this.

But then there’s something we are not seeing in this whole equation - the future of technology and computing.

Major players are all looking to invest in IoT and Big Data. Because in a world of 6 Billion people in the Information and Knowledge revolution, IoT is not something that may happen. It will. Because according to IBM - Every day, we create 2.5 quintillion bytes of data. And this is why Samsung might win big. They are not building for now. They are building for the next 2 to 5 years to come.

Kenya faces a magnitude of challenges home made technology can solve. And technology does exist for us to create sustainable solutions - and create markets for sustainable solutions, as SwahiliBox had demonstrated close to a year back when we had very much earlier predicted the marriage between Big Data and IoT and we had developed prototypes that were even open sourced to demonstrate how easy and sustainable it can be to develop next generation solutions making use of both Big Data and IoT.

Bwana Waziri, I think as a market this is one of the major areas we need to focus on - and that we are seriously neglecting. We can not keep on innovating on top of ERPs and M-Pesas and that is just it. Silicon Valley's innovative potential does not just encompass systems like Adobe Photoshop, but also innovations on top of IoT and Big Data. We need to innovate hardware that can be relevant within the African Context - Hardware that can then hook up with the ERPs and M-Pesas, and maybe bring to life a whole different export channel to other countries and governments looking for sustainable hardware solutions. And Kenya can do this.

We need to push more resources into innovating around Big Data, Cloud and IoT. As a market we can only achieve maximum innovative potential in adopting the trends that players like Samsung, Intel, IBM, and the likes are investing billions of dollars to get right.

On Fri, Jul 1, 2016 at 5:30 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Barrack and all
For the first time Net Neutrality is being given a voice. But not far enough. We need clear direction on this important issue. Where do we stand on:-
Net Neutrality 1. Third party liability?2. Fair and equitable treatment of Internet traffic?3. Zero rating of services? 4. I understand that Tespok did a study that showed an increase in data revenue from OTT and messaging services like YouTube and WhatsApp. It would be interesting if we could see that report or failure of which (as Tespok is a member based Organisation and may choose not to share it with the general public) CA may need to step in.5. Finally can the new regime tell us once and for all whether Kenya finally signed WCIT12 and what prompted the change of heart? 
Mobile Money and the new reality of Blockchain Technology. Let's not beat about the bush here. The very leadership position that has been achieved by our adaption of Mobile Money is at risk by burying our heads in the sand when it comes to Blockchain Technology. 
We need to stop thumping our chests about the phenomenal success of Mpesa. The reality is that Mpesa is only successful here in Kenya and a few other countries. Mpesa stopped innovating in this space years ago. It's time for a new reality. Mpesa is yesterday's news. Let's start creating a new narrative. We need a Global Champion. The likes of PayPal, eBay, Google etc. and we have it in us to do it.
Kenya, and Africa are again at risk of being left behind. No other than the Governor of the Central Bank is on record saying that we shall wait and see what the West does before jumping in. I respect the man alot but I think engagement with the nascent Fintech Space in Nairobi together with the ICT Ministry is long overdue. We MUST chart our own path - And it needs to be a pioneering path not a follower path. We need a clear policy statement from the ICT Ministry on this. 
I'm reliably informed that the ICT Ministry and the Central Bank has formed or will form a joint committee to look into the adaption of BlockChain Technology. I may have missed this but is there a representative(s) from the private/banking/Fintech space? Sometimes I get the feeling that this country's leaders still don't get the spirit of the New Constitution we promulgated in 2010. I would like to humbly remind ourselves of this:-
The constitution was presented to the Attorney General of Kenya on 7 April 2010, officially published on 6 May 2010, and was subjected to a referendum on 4 August 2010. The new Constitution was approved by 67% of Kenyan voters. The constitution was promulgated on 27 August 2010.
In the spirit of Uzalendo and moving this country forward let us share more and consult more extensively. This exercise of subjecting the new ICT Policy to this level of public scrutiny and intellectual discourse on a list like Kictanet is unprecedented. And highly commendable, This certainly shows the willingness and openness of the leadership of CS Mucheru. It's not a coincidence that he and PS Victor Kyalo are founder members of Kictanet. Intellectual discourse, sharing and engagement is in their DNA. I must however caution them that they must shine daylight into EVERYTHING that involves the public good. This new discussion on Blockchains is good for the public and the nascent FinTech community. We CANNOT and MUST NOT let vested interests prevail in the corridors of power at the detriment of the country at large. 
It may well be that this country decides that BlockChain Technology will do more harm than good to us. However, I humbly suggest that decision should not be left to a few individuals. No matter their station in life or government. A robust platform of discussion and consultation spearheaded by the ICT and Treasury Ministries must be held. And this must be kicked off as soon as possible because time's a-wastin'.
My humble two cents..
Ali HusseinPrincipalHussein & Associates+254 0713 601113 / 0770906375
Twitter: @AliHKassimSkype: abu-jomoLinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim

"Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought".  ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi
Sent from my iPad
On 1 Jul 2016, at 1:33 AM, Barrack Otieno via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

Day 8 of 10:

* Internet of Things, M2M
* Net Neutrality & OTT
* Big Data
* Virtual Money/BlockChains

The Background:

Internet of Things is a vision (now a reality) of physical objects
(machines, vehicles, buildings, etc) fitted with sensors that allow
them to  communicate with each other.  The smart-city concept
envisions sensors continuously reporting status (e.g Traffic status,
Pollution Status, Maintenance Status) of the different objects to
allow for efficient management response. A lot of data exchanges
arises hence the term Big Data with its associated data analytics
requirements.

Meanwhile, Virtual Money/Currency (Bitcoin, etc) threatens to disrupt
the need for a centralised banking institutions. Over The Top (Skype,
Twitter, FB, Youtube) have been around longer but the need to regulate
or NOT to regulate them continues to be debated.

Given recent developments on the KiCTANET list on Virtual money  what
should  our position on these and other emerging issues be from a
policy perspective ? is there need to embrace the issues?

Your comments are welcome

-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
+254721325277
+254733206359
Skype: barrack.otieno
PGP ID: 0x2611D86A

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KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. 		 	   		  
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