IT in Kenya

Lack of an electronic communication and e-transaction legislation has hampered growth in the e-Commerce sub sector and also kept numerous potential investors away.

The Kenya Communications Amendment Bill 2007 is rather vague about the issue and does not adequately address electronic transaction or e-commerce issues.

The growth of the Internet and other electronic communications technologies is providing an array of opportunities and benefits for Kenyans especially in the business sector.

e-Commerce enables businesses to harness ICT to overcome distance. Businesses can use e-commerce to increase efficiency, access new markets and respond creatively and effectively to business opportunities and customer needs.

Industry data indicates that e-commerce is conservatively estimated to be worth over $2 trillion and an extraordinary growth is expected in the next few years.

For the Government to boost e-Commerce, it needs to have a strategy that would ensure that the legal and regulatory environment facilitates uptake of e-commerce across the country. This is critical to the future global competitiveness of Kenya and the region as a whole.