The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
In a significant move, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at bolstering cooperation in digitalization and technology investment.
The MOU, signed by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, and the UAE’s Minister for Investment, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, took place in Abu Dhabi.
Set to be effective for five years, with provisions for renewal, the agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to forge closer ties, explore ICT investment partnerships, and advance digital infrastructure initiatives.
Kenya’s digital economy has experienced rapid growth, largely driven by a robust ICT sector.
CS Owalo hailed the partnership as transformative, highlighting its potential to catalyze significant ICT investments in Kenya’s data center infrastructure, generate employment opportunities, and equip citizens with cutting-edge digital tools.
“The signing of this MOU lays the groundwork for the development of state-of-the-art data centers, poised to greatly enhance Kenya’s digital infrastructure capacity and resilience,” remarked Owalo.
Furthermore, Owalo outlined that the collaboration would extend to Artificial Intelligence and large Language Models, emphasizing the pivotal role of data centers in shaping Kenya’s digital trajectory.
He underscored the MOU’s alignment with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, particularly its focus on the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy, aimed at empowering youth with digital skills for digitally-driven employment and entrepreneurship.
Minister Alsuwaidi echoed Owalo’s sentiments, noting that enhanced cooperation between the two nations would unlock myriad opportunities across various sectors, bolstering and advancing their respective economies.
“Through strategic investments in digital infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence, this Investment Memorandum is poised to accelerate the growth of a sector with the potential to serve as a catalyst for other industries,” remarked Alsuwaidi.
Alsuwaidi also expressed confidence that the investment would chart a course towards prosperity and progress, envisioning a future marked by economic advancement.
CS Owalo emphasized that the MOU signifies a shared commitment to fostering mutual growth and prosperity, envisioning a more connected and digitally-empowered future for both countries.
The Kenyan delegation, led by CS Owalo, included Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Mr. Cosmas Kimutai Sigei, Charge d’Affaires, Kenya Embassy, Abu Dhabi, Annette Kerubo Nyakora, Senior State Counsel, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, and Lawrence Lelei, Trade Attaché, Kenya Embassy, Abu Dhabi.
The UAE delegation comprised Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Abdalla Alobeidli, Director of Investment Policy and Legislation, and Mrs. Farha Al Shamsi, Director of Communication Abu Dhabi, UAE.
