On August 14th, 2024, I moderated a panel at the Kenya Internet Summit and .KE Awards 2024 on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Best Practices for Kenya’s and Africa’s Digital Transformation. We had a productive discussion with Joel Karubiu, Njihia Mbugua, and Kenneth Njihia.

Government Process Automation: Lessons from Estonia and Kenya

Joel Karubiu shared insights on Estonia’s success in government automation, particularly its digital ID system, which underpins seamless access to services. This system has made Estonia a leader in e-governance. Joel noted that Kenya has made strides with initiatives like eCitizen but still needs improvements in service delivery.

He emphasized that building trust and better communication are essential for the success of such initiatives. The government needs to focus more on conveying the benefits of systems like the digital ID to the public to build confidence.

The Role of Solution Architects in Digital Transformation

Njihia Mbugua discussed how solution architects are vital in aligning business and technology interests within enterprises. He stressed that innovation should focus on addressing real problems rather than creating solutions in search of problems. Njihia also pointed out that integrating new technologies, such as AI and blockchain, can revolutionize industries like healthcare and agriculture by offering personalized medicine and enhanced food security.

He highlighted the importance of balancing these innovations with existing infrastructure, especially in sectors like banking, which still rely on legacy systems.

Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency

Kenneth Njihia explored how AI is transforming industries, especially in advertising. AI-generated visuals are becoming commonplace, helping companies save time and money. Kenneth also discussed how AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing content creation and data analysis, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently.

While AI offers great potential, Kenneth emphasized that human creativity and local insights remain crucial in creating impactful marketing campaigns. AI’s role in improving customer service through chatbots was also highlighted.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy in Kenya

Joel revisited cybersecurity, drawing from Estonia’s experience as the first country to be cyber-attacked in 2007. Estonia’s resilience is based on its digital ID system, which serves as a single source of truth for both government and private sector interactions.

He stressed the need for Kenya to prioritize cybersecurity and data privacy, urging individuals to take responsibility for safeguarding their personal information and calling for improved digital literacy to help citizens understand the value of their data.

Ethical Issues and Opportunities in Technology

Kenneth also addressed the ethical challenges in technology, such as the rise of gambling addiction among Kenyan youth. He shared how countries like Sweden use AI and digital IDs to control gambling activities, ensuring that individuals do not overspend. Kenneth called for similar innovations in Kenya to tackle these challenges while promoting the positive uses of technology, such as financial inclusion and online freelancing opportunities.

Conclusion: The Quiet Success of Kenyan Tech Startups

As the discussion wrapped up, I shared my observations on the quiet success of many Kenyan tech startups. Unlike the high-profile startups that often make headlines, companies like PesaPal and Turnkey Africa are quietly excelling in the B2B space by solving real problems and generating profits.

In conclusion, our discussion highlighted that digital transformation in Kenya and Africa is advancing steadily. To fully unlock its potential, we need to foster trust, improve digital literacy, and create an environment where innovation can thrive by solving real-world problems.

In the latest episode of Pure Digital Passion, I had the pleasure of interviewing Steve Song, a telecommunications expert widely recognized for his detailed maps of Africa’s Internet infrastructure. Steve’s work has become essential for understanding the continent’s connectivity, but his contributions extend into policy advocacy, shared spectrum management, and efforts to expand affordable access.

From Canada to South Africa: A Transformative Journey

Steve’s journey began in the 1990s when he moved from Canada to South Africa after Nelson Mandela’s release. Working for Sangonet, one of the first non-profit Internet service providers in South Africa, Steve helped civil society organizations, including the ANC, connect with the world via email. This early experience showed him the power of digital technology to empower marginalized communities and sparked his passion for telecommunications policy.

The Birth of Africa’s Internet Maps

Steve’s famous maps, which visualize Africa’s undersea and terrestrial Internet infrastructure, began as a personal project in 2008. With new cables like Seacom and TEAMS being laid, Steve started sketching out maps to understand this new landscape. What began as a personal project soon became a public resource, widely used by policymakers, businesses, and the public to visualize Africa’s digital future. Despite modestly downplaying his design skills, Steve’s maps became an iconic reference at digital conferences across the continent.

Village Telco: Affordable Communication for Underserved Areas

Another significant chapter in Steve’s career was the founding of Village Telco, a social enterprise aimed at delivering affordable voice and Internet services using low-cost WiFi mesh networks. At a time when telecommunications regulations in South Africa were restrictive, Village Telco enabled communities to build their own networks. Although the project faced challenges with scalability, Steve described it as a valuable learning experience, emphasizing the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.

Challenges in Policy and Regulation

Throughout our conversation, Steve discussed the challenges of pushing for more equitable access to communication infrastructure in Africa. Regulatory frameworks in many countries are still shaped by the legacy of state-owned telecommunications monopolies, which creates barriers for smaller operators. Steve advocates for regulations that actively support small operators, which he believes are key to extending connectivity to rural areas.

Shared Spectrum and TV White Spaces

Steve is also a strong proponent of shared spectrum management and TV White Spaces, which can help expand Internet access in underserved regions. Unlike traditional spectrum licenses, which grant exclusive rights to frequencies, shared spectrum approaches allow multiple operators to use the same frequencies, provided they don’t interfere with each other. Steve believes these strategies will be essential for unlocking affordable access in rural areas.

Looking Ahead: Community Networks and Collective Ownership

Steve sees community-driven initiatives and collective ownership models as crucial for filling the gaps left by private sector operators. Whether through cooperatives, municipalities, or community networks, these models not only provide access but also strengthen the social fabric of communities. We also discussed the potential of technologies like Starlink, which offer exciting possibilities but raise important questions about sustainability and local impact.

In closing, I want to thank Steve for sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience on Pure Digital Passion. His dedication to making communication infrastructure more accessible is truly inspiring.

A week ago, I had the pleasure of diving into the exciting world of Samsung’s latest foldable smartphones with Anthony Hutia, Head of Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics East Africa. We discussed the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 which were launched the previous week during the Samsung Unpacked event and feature advanced AI features and also have flexible financing options for Kenyan consumers.

Samsung’s Latest Foldables.

We kicked off our discussion with an in-depth look at Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. These devices are truly game-changers, offering unique foldable form factors that enhance multitasking capabilities and increase portability. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 boasts a large screen perfect for productivity and entertainment, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s compact design is ideal for those seeking style and functionality in a smaller package.

Anthony explained how the integration of Galaxy AI leverages the flexible form factor of these devices to deliver a new era of communication, productivity, and creativity. Features like Note Assist and the Google Gemini app provide users with seamless and enhanced mobile experiences, making these devices stand out in the market.

Financing Options & Pre-Order Incentives.

Understanding the financial challenges many face, Samsung has partnered with financial institutions in Kenya to offer flexible financing options. This enables customers to purchase these high-end devices with ease, spreading the investment over a period of time and making advanced technology accessible to a much broader audience.

For those eager to get their hands on the new devices, Samsung introduced attractive pre-order incentives. Customers who pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 6 receive a slim S-Pen case, while those who opt for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 get a flip suite case set. These offers add significant value, making it an opportune time to upgrade to the latest foldables from Samsung.

Samsung East Africa’s Mobile Division Performance.

Anthony shared insights into Samsung’s recent performance in the mobile division in Kenya and East Africa, particularly the success of the Galaxy S24 series. The series has seen remarkable growth, driven by advanced AI capabilities and exceptional camera performance. The seamless integration with the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem further enhances the user experience.

Samsung’s wearables, including the new Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, which were also launched during the latest Samsung Unpacked event offer intelligent health monitoring and personalized insights, catering to the growing demand for health and fitness tracking. These too will be available for purchase in Kenya and East Africa in the coming weeks.

Future Plans & Vision.

Looking ahead, Samsung is committed to continuing its innovation in mobile technology. Anthony discussed the company’s plans to tailor future products and services to meet the unique needs of the Kenyan and East African markets. The ongoing advancements in Generative AI and a focus on sustainability mean that Samsung will continue to deliver technology that enriches lives and drives progress.

Closing Remarks.

A big thank you to Anthony Hutia for sharing his insights and making this conversation so enriching. As smart technology unfolds and financial solutions become more flexible, it’s an exciting time for consumers in Kenya who can benefit from Samsung’s myriad offerings. Whether you’re looking to dive into the world of foldables or seeking flexible financing solutions, the future is in your hands, quite literally, with Samsung!