from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA and the World Bank are discussing operational bottlenecks affecting the rollout of the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), financed by the bank.
The discussions seek to enhance fund absorption and accelerate the delivery of project targets under the Digital Superhighway agenda.
A delegation from the World Bank, led by Michel Rogy, Regional Practice Director for Digital Development (Africa and the Middle East), has been in Kenya to assess the implementation status of KDEAP.
It held a progress review meeting with John Tanui, Principal Secretary for the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Executives from the ICT Authority attended.
Slow fund absorption, procurement delays and stretched human capacity are hindering the rollout of KDEAP.
These challenges have hampered the initial momentum of the World Bank-backed, US$390 million digital infrastructure and e-government initiative.
The World Bank reports that lengthy authorisation processes from the National Treasury have restricted access to project funds, severely slowing the execution of priority targets.
Multiple activities across the World Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement platform have also faced red flags, with bidding, Terms of Reference preparation and contract signings lagging significantly behind initial timelines.
Despite this, Tanui appreciated the continued partnership and support of the World Bank in advancing Kenya’s digital transformation journey.
“Together, we remain committed to leveraging technology and innovation to create opportunities, drive economic growth, and ensure that every Kenyan can participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” he said.
Tanui reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to create opportunities, drive economic growth, and ensure inclusive participation in the digital economy.
KDEAP officially became effective in February 2024, almost a year after its approval by the World Bank in March 2023.
– CAJ News