The Principal Secretary state department for ICT Eng. John Tanui has urged Kenyan youth to embrace discipline and professionalism to claim their share of the multi-billion-dollar global digital economy.

Speaking at a digital sensitization forum at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Iten, Eng. Tanui said that the global digital creation market is currently valued at $500 billion, with Africa accounting for $3 billion and Kenya commanding a thriving local market worth $1 billion.

“This vast ecosystem spans across photography, animation, gaming, and brand ambassadorship among others,” the PS said.

However, the PS issued a stern warning regarding the professionalism required to succeed noting that many young people have permanently lost their accounts on global platforms like Meta and TikTok for failing to adhere to platform policies, thereby throwing away life-changing financial opportunities.

Eng. Tanui added that apart from content creation, major companies have an established marketing budget which savvy creators can secure a slice of the funds through corporate branding and awareness programs noting that since the youth are educated, they are best placed to articulate these awareness programs effectively.

He challenged the youth to monetize their platforms by championing positive narratives and showcasing national transformation.

He specifically encouraged creators to highlight key government development projects such as affordable housing, new markets, and critical infrastructure among others.

To support the digital creators, the PS said the Ministry of ICT is executing an aggressive internet expansion strategy revealing that Kenya has successfully optimized its submarine cable connectivity, positioning the nation as one of the most connected on the continent and ensuring local content can seamlessly reach a global audience.

Nationally, the PS said the ministry is rolling out massive infrastructure projects through a two-pronged approach.

“In partnership with the Communications Authority (CA), the ICT Authority (ICTA), and Kenya Power (KPLC), a 17,000-kilometer fiber connection project is currently underway which will link all public institutions,” he said.

He continued that the government has injected Sh13 billion to support the private sector in building backbone, middle-mile, and cross-border infrastructure, a move that will add an extra 27,000 kilometers of fiber across the country.

Eng Tanui said this robust connectivity to public institutions up to the grassroots level including schools and chiefs’ offices will serve as a foundation for the private sector to extend connectivity.

“From these hubs, local service providers can pick up the network to link businesses and homes directly thus ensuring that everyone in the country can access high-speed internet,” the PS said.

He said 2 million homes and businesses have been connected to broadband fixed infrastructure since 2022 adding that 10,000 Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) have already been equipped with smart digital interactive devices, with the government on track to supply all 21,000 JSS institutions by April next year.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, regretted that many content creators from the county were yet to earn an income from their work and thanked the ICT Ministry for the sensitization drive aimed at teaching youth how to effectively monetize their digital footprint.

Rotich advised the youth to view digital creation as a path to absolute self-employment, noting that they do not need to wait for job placements when they can become CEOs of their own digital entities.

He urged creators across the North Rift region to unite, share knowledge, market local businesses, and act as agents for digital service providers.

To accelerate this vision, Rotich said the county government will waive all charges for companies laying fiber cables saying the wealth young people stand to generate from the $500 billion international market will far outweigh any short-term revenue the county would have
collected from infrastructure levies.

  By Alice Wanjiru