Ruto presents roadmap to create 1 million jobs for youth in Kenya

• President William Ruto said the government plans to strengthen IT-based services and the country’s global competitiveness by expanding broadband services and digital hubs.
• He reiterated that the government’s commitment to digital skills training and job creation in the IT sector promised a brighter future for Kenya’s young workforce.
• Ruto called on investors to collaborate with the government in its digital hub installation program

Tatu Town, Kiambu County: President William Ruto has announced that the government is implementing new laws and policies that will facilitate the growth of the country’s IT services.

Ruto said these measures were aimed at helping the government unlock job opportunities in the business process outsourcing (BPO) services sector.

The goal, he noted, was to increase government investments in relevant infrastructure, including national broadband and digital hubs, to create jobs for at least one million digital workers over the next five years.

“We are determined to claim our fair share of the BPO pie for the benefit of our young men and women who are eager to contribute to the growth of our economy,” he said.

He noted that Kenya’s strength lies in a young, large and skilled workforce, in government policies that prioritize the digital economy as a strategic pillar of the Upward Economic Transformation Agenda, in an education system that emphasizes digital skills, in a strategic geographic location that aligns with global time zones and proficiency in English, a language widely used in major economies.

Call Center International (CCI) Global Contact Center

Ruto made these remarks during the launch of the Global Contact Center Call Center International (CCI) in Tatu town in Ruiru, Kiambu County, which has already created more than 5,000 jobs.

The president said the government was strengthening existing laws to create an enabling environment for the ICT-BPO industry to thrive.

“Our goal is to develop sector-specific legislation that aligns with international standards in the short, medium and long term,” he said.

The government’s efforts to strengthen the sector, Ruto explained, include enforcing BPO standards that meet international best practices, updating tax and non-tax incentives to keep pace with technological advancements, and investing in green energy.

Training young Kenyans for the jobs of tomorrow

He said the government was also working with the private sector to upskill young Kenyans and ensure they are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to fostering a thriving, sustainable and globally competitive BPO sector in Kenya,” he said.

The President appealed to investors to collaborate with the government on its digital hub program for BPO operations to succeed and expand.

More details about digital jobs in Kenya

Review by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and editor at TUKO.co.ke

Source: TUKO.co.ke