Kenya has once again ranked the highest among its neighbouring countries in digital readiness among the youth.
On Thursday, March 14, Kenya placed first in the 2023 East African Youth Digital Index with a score of 26.75.
Rwanda was in position two with a score of 19.85. Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania came in at positions three four and five with a score of 19.4, 18.25 and 17.75 respectively.
On the other hand, Sudan, DRC and Somalia were in positions six, seven, and eight with scores of 16.5, 15.95 and 10.05 respectively.
In positions nine and ten were Burundi and South Sudan with scores of 9.25 and 7.6 respectively. The score difference between Kenya and the other nations indicated the milestones Kenya has taken to boost the digital sector.
Some factors that propelled Kenya to the top position include the mobile money revolution, savvy tech ecosystem, government support, education and skills development and collaborative ecosystem.
Kenyans have majorly adopted mobile money back due to its effectiveness, accessibility and simplicity. The Kenya Bankers Association revealed in a report that Kenyans increasingly embrace mobile banking.
"It transformed access to banking services, allowing even those without formal bank accounts to participate in the financial ecosystem. This success story not only boosted digital literacy and adoption but also paved the way for other innovative fintech solutions" reads part of the report.
On government support, Kenya was noted to be promoting digital infrastructure and initiatives. This supportive environment has facilitated digital adoption and created a conducive climate for tech businesses.
Additionally, the government has allowed the inclusion of digital literacy lessons for the youth. The Jitume Labs, launching countrywide, have equipped Kenyans with relevant skills.
However, the report highlighted some challenges facing Kenya including uneven distribution, affordability barriers, cybersecurity concerns and skills gap.
"While Kenya invests in digital skills development, the demand for qualified IT professionals often outpaces the supply. The existing skills gap hampers innovation, limits the uptake of advanced technologies, and hinders the digital economy's full potential," read part of the report.
Kenya was urged to nurture tech talent through expanding access to STEM education, incentivising private sector participation in skills development and creating flexible learning pathways for continuous upskilling and reskilling.
