INTRODUCTION
The Kenya ICT Board has identified the Digital Content Industry as the most important area of growth in the ICT sector in the creation of a viable World Class knowledge-based economy. The Board therefore has developed this strategy to capitalise on this opportunity
Digital Content includes mobile and web content, e-learning, serious gaming and console gaming. Film Content and Music are also considered Digital Content although an in-depth strategy for these will be developed in conjunction with the Kenya Film Commission, the Ministry of Culture and others who have developed advanced strategies in this field. This strategy will complement and co-ordinate with these strategies.
The global digital content industry is forecast to grow at a rate of between 6 and 10 percent between 2006 and 2010 . International regions including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Canada and in the European Union, have all recognised the importance of digital content in developing their knowledge based economies. These regions have either developed or are in the process of developing new strategies and programmes for the sector. This will lead to an increase in international competition.
Kenya has key strengths that can aid in the development of a strong digital content industry. These include a relatively high population of well educated and exposed youth that is hungry for opportunity, a nascent technology-centric professional base that is staffed by young, energetic and innovative youth, innovative products and some competitive business costs. However, the industry is embryonic and fragmented and has yet to make real advances to the global markets or secure significant Foreign Direct Investment.
The Kenya ICT Board has identified a number of areas of focus for development of this industry: leadership, investment, skills and training, research and development, innovation and internationalisation.
Our challenge is to effectively address these areas of development and thereby ensure that the industry is equipped to maximise on the global opportunities presented.
The Role of Kenya ICT Board
The Kenya ICT Board seeks to harness resources, support mechanisms and goodwill from the Government, the World Bank (through the KTCIP programme), ICT Multinationals Forum, other State Corporations such as the Kenya Film Commission and the Communications Commission of Kenya, the Private Sector and other stakeholders with a view to stimulating the development of content as well as viable business opportunities based on knowledge and content to help achieve Kenya Vision 2030 goals for wealth and employment creation.
The Board will do this by supporting and implementing activities that will provide Connection, Confidence and Capacity.
The Tandaa project
The Tandaa project is basically about local content development. The content project has grants that are aimed at either the private or public sectors. The Kenya ICT Board has two basic types of grant programs under the IDA Credit no 4284-KE :
1. A Grant Facility to Generate Content
In these circumstances Kenya ICT Board will determine to implement a program directly or through or with other partners. The grant is for the purpose of development of information services and web content for the Government of Kenya information Portal. Grant applicants will be invited via advertisement to participant. The requested grant proposals will be in three fold
