Oracle has today signed on an agreement with the ICT Authority in Kenya to help contribute in the Information Technology sector through training students as well as professionals, so they can earn the necessary skills required to utilize latest technologies.
Kenya has been identified as one of the countries with the highest potential to grow in the year 2015 onwards, especially in the mobile sector where Kenya is leading in mobile penetration and adoption of latest mobile technologies, making this new move necessary.
Oracle has participated in training Kenyans on ICT use in business through a University program dubbed Oracle University, which is overseeing the training of students and lecturers in JKUAT, Riara and Strathmore University where the program has been underway for some time now.
In Strathmore, Oracle has backed a centre of excellence that is aimed at helping the youth nurture their talents and transform their ideas into fully fledged businesses through iLab research centre that is hosted at the University and hosts Startups during their incubation stages.
Joseph Orero, one of Oracle ICT training program beneficiaries and a Dean at Strathmore University said the program had helped up to 72 people with about 48 teachers planned to receive training in the month of February, this year.
“There is a need to push the country forward through leveraging ICT,” said Orero during the MoU signing ceremony at the Intercontinental hotel in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
Orero added that there are currently 14 banks with incorporated infrastructure to help train the staff in using latest technologies being adopted every now and then, especially with the ever growing banking solutions.
Gilbert Saggia, Oracle’s country director in Kenya said the solutions provider will focus on the existing services that help in the country’s development, including capacity building, innovation, internship and mentoring, engagement in ICT forums as well as e-Government solutions.
Oracle believes that Kenya is the country to focus on in the African continent as it has the highest potential compared to others, including South Africa and Nigeria where Oracle has also established ICT hubs.
With this new agreement, Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of ICT believes that Oracle will positively impact Kenya’s growth in the ICT sector, which is the key driver of all sectors contributing to the country’s economy.
“Greatest friends are those who help you build your country,” said Matiang’i while applauding the work Oracle has been part of in helping Kenya grow.
Matiang’i also said that the years 2015 and 2016 will be the defining moment for the ICT sector in the country and that Kenyans should expect to see more government operations become automated in the 24 months period.
