Konza Tells SMEs to Embrace the Digital Realm to Improve on Efficiency and Competitiveness
Embracing of new technology for implementing changes makes small business to penetrate the world market, reduce complexities and sustain itself within the Kenyan economy space.
Why small business entities should consider digital transformation
SME is the driver of the economy in Kenya; hence, there is an essential need for business adoption and integration of technology. While addressing an economic empowerment event organized by Abojani Investment, The Chief Executive Officer of Konza Technopolis Development Authority, John Paul Okwiri underscored the role of going digital on SMEs.
Specifically in the usage of digital tools, SMEs should do more. They should be using technology to run their businesses and reach customers,” Okwiri stated.
Increasing efficiency and market access
Digital tools offer SMEs countless opportunities to enhance efficiency and access new markets
Digital Financing Tools: Mobile wallet and other form of online banking enhances completing of transactions, controlling of cash inflow and outflow as well as the overall operation of any financial activities.
Analytics Tools: More than anything, the results should make SMEs realize the need to decode what their customers want from their products so that the firms can come up with creative and effective marketing tactics that will engage customers.
E-commerce Platforms and Social Media: Offer SMEs the ability to access customers around the world without need to invest heavily on physical structures.
Leading Kenya’s Tech Revolution
The Konza Technopolis, a centerpiece of Vision 2030, right now stands as an important project which seeks to place Kenya as a world tech hub.
Tax Benefits: Many tax incentives of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are favouring investments into technology skill and digital networks.
Subsidized Internet: Under the National Broadband Strategy to extend to growth areas that currently lack the internet connectivity.
Digital Hubs: The Jitume Programme is extending innovation stations in every county; aiming to ensure that the youth and minority groups are trained on vital digital skills and employment.
Okwiri said these endeavors seek to create solutions that will generate 2 percent of Kenya GDP by 2030, a move towards a future anchored on innovation and technology.
The title of the work looks like this: Empowering the Future Workforce
OUK, Kenya’s first fully fledged, fully digital university is also located in the Konza Technopolis. OUK makes education more convenient to the teach and learn due to the available online means hence making education flexible to students all over the country.
Also, the government is to create 1,450 digital centres across the country, which adds to the drive for digitisation and tech-related employment.
The Rise of Tech as the Solution to SMEs Impossible Dilemma
The message from Konza is clear: The available research implies that SMEs need to adopt technology as a key means of sustaining their organizations and expanding. As seen above, effective use of digital tools in operations enable SMEs to establish more efficiencies, communicate and market their products to customers as well as sell them to the global market thus support the overall economic development of Kenya.
Known for its continued gradual advancement in becoming one of the premier African technology hotbeds, the SMEs have a mighty innings in steering this change. Will your business will be in this digital revolution? Allow me then to present to your attention Konza Technopolis as a way forward.