State to boost local software development

By Fredrick Obura

The Government has identified software development as a potential source of income to the country.

In an interview, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication Bitange Ndemo said the software development section of the expansive ICT industry has potential of providing employment and generating revenue to the country.

According to figures from the Ministry of Information, the sector recorded more than Sh500 million in revenues last year. The figure could rise if marketing strategies were effectively applied.

teamwork

The State is now outsourcing for funds from Treasury and donors, to help market local talent, and to set up an incubation centre for nurturing budding developers.

Ndemo said that part of the funds acquired would be used to secure a number of offices at the Sameer business park, (currently under construction) along Mombasa road, housing a pool of programmers.

"This would help bring the programmers together to share resources and work as a team. Our focus will be the development of competitive products for the export market," he said.

The move comes as some companies explore markets in Africa via the locally built Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.

The software, an integrated solution provider, helps managers share information that can be used in making business decisions. This includes customer service, selling, procurement, financing, hiring, among others. Hospitals and medical agencies are among institutions currently adopting the system.

"There has been an increase in companies seeking different software solutions for their businesses, if the Government focused on skills promotion, the sector could offer employment solution to most graduates" says Systems Partners Director, Rugendo Kamakia,.

Service delivery

Among the firms pioneering this shift is the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), which has acquired an ERP system from the Alliance Technologies, at an estimated cost of sh130 million. The software will be used in managing organisation’s procurement process. KEMSA says the system is strategic in improving service delivery.

"With an ERP system in place, the agency will have a real time interaction and interface with all the health facilities and also its customers, suppliers, development partners and stakeholders," says KEMSA acting CEO, Dr John Munyu.