State to use Sh15.1 billion to develop creative Digital Economy

Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Edward Kisiang’ani has said the government will spend Sh15.1 billion to develop the digital superhighway.

The move is in a bid to position the country as a unique creative economy hub destination.

Kisiang’ani said the ministry is seeking financial support from the private sector to further develop the creatives as they seek to leverage government facilities such as the digital superhighway and the Konza Technopolis Data Centre.

"At the moment, we are looking at the tax regimes with a view to optimise and streamline. We would like the creative to be promoted and not to be punished by some of these tax regimes," he said.

"We are also looking at the legal issues to ensure checks and balances in the sector to avoid infringement on privacy while advancing the creative economy."

He urged stakeholders in the creative economy to leverage technology and innovation to create more jobs and spur the nation’s economic growth.

The PS noted that the government is working to streamline the creative sector for favourable tax regimes and financing policies.

Kisiang’ani spoke during the inaugural Konza Technopolis Creative Economy Conference in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The conference's aim was to identify strategic interventions to address the players who will enable the monetisation of the creative economy through digital superhighway.

He said they will focus specifically on the role of Konza Technopolis and its partners in supporting a vibrant creative economy in the country.

"The government is ready to support the creative economy so that it can create more jobs at the individual and institutional level," he said.

"This sector presents a positive opportunity for more job opportunities for Kenyans because we don’t have the capacity in government to give everybody a job."