The eighth edition of the Connected Kenya summit will take place on March 21-24 in Diani, bringing together government, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss how to further grow Kenya’s ICT sector.
The event, which will take place at the Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort, aims to identify gaps that may hinder the growth of the ICT business sector, and share knowledge, best practice and lessons learnt based on experience in implementing ICT projects.
Guest speakers already confirmed include Ministry of ICT cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru, principal secretary for ICT and innovation Victor Kyalo, and principal secretary for telecommunications and broadcasting Sammy Itemere.
Connected Kenya will also feature the annual Innovation Awards, which look to recognise and celebrate Kenyan startups that have developed ICT solutions driving economic growth and social development.
Last year’s overall winner was Totohealth, which uses SMS technology to help reduce maternal mortality, child mortality and predict developmental disabilities in a child.
The 2015 event also saw previous Ministry of ICT cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi tell attendees Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta had set the ministry a target of investing in at least 50 startups in the next year through the Enterprise Kenya initiative.
The Enterprise Kenya initiative was announced at the ICT Innovation Forum held in Nairobi at the start of March last year, to support and build the technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country. There has as yet, however, been no news as to any government investments in Kenyan startups, a topic that is likely to be discussed at the event.
