ICT Authority taps Microsoft to help gov’t adopt cloud-first approach in services delivery

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft which will see the American tech company assist the government in adopting a cloud-first strategy in public service delivery.

Under the agreement signed on Tuesday, Microsoft will engage the national government, ministries, departments and agencies through the ICT Authority in a joint working framework which is expected to be finalised in February 2024.

ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary John Tanui termed the partnership as a vital approach towards the acceleration of the country’s digital economy.

“As a country, we have laid the foundation for a conducive digital economy environment which requires stakeholders like you to use in developing our sector. So far, we have managed to digitize over 14,000 government services and this partnership is crucial in seeing more development in our digital economy,” he said.

Tanui urged the two institutions to support local innovators and start-ups through their framework.

On his part, Stanley Kamanguya, the ICT Authority CEO said the partnership with Microsoft had come at the right time in advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda.

“I would like to thank Microsoft for this engagement which has come at the right time. We believe that towards the end of this partnership, we shall enhance our cybersecurity awareness, enhance our digital skills and develop key technology areas for a vibrant digital sector,” he said.

Kunle Awosika, Head of Public Sector in Africa at Microsoft said the partnership will seek to create an open and enabling environment for government departments for them to make technology and cloud platform choices through the ICT Authority.

“Through the framework agreement which will be developed, we look forward to ensuring that this MoU becomes fruitful for the mutual benefits of our institutions,” Awosika said.

The ICT Authority is a state corporation under the Ministry of ICT tasked with rationalizing and streamlining the management of all the government’s ICT functions.