Further, the sector is projected to approach the 20 percent growth mark by end of 2017.
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT Fred Matiang’i announced this during the official opening of the ICT week.
Matiang’i attributed the growth to the government’s investment in key ICT projects, the development of ICT infrastructure across the country and the enhancement of favourable policy frameworks that facilitate private sector partnerships as main drivers.
Statistics submitted by Communication Authority of Kenya also indicate that the number of mobile phone subscription is growing.
According to Matiang’i, there were 33.6 million mobile subscriptions at the end of 2014 which was up from 31.3 million recorded the previous year. The number is expected to grow further this year to about 35 million mobile phone subscriptions.
“This growth is evidence that the government’s policies for the sector are working. Investors in the sector have experienced phenomenal growth as witnessed last week by the equally phenomenal results announced by the country’s largest mobile network operator, Safaricom,” he stated.
Recent implementation of digital migration and the deployment of 4G LTE in some parts of the country were also noted as key milestones of the sector.
The growth in the ICT sector has also been noticed by other international key bodies. In February, Intelligent Community Forum named Nairobi as the smartest city in Africa, for its conscious steps towards creating an economy that can prosper solely on broadband.
“I urge Communications Authority of Kenya to intensify its restructuring efforts, strengthen itself institutionally, and ensure that quality of service is offered by all licensees. The sector ultimately is about the people of Kenya and every effort should be made to ensure that the consumers get value for every penny they spend on ICT services,” he emphasized.
Matiang’i also announced the government’s plan to move over 60 percent of public sector services onto the digital platform, saying that the move will enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability.
