I have arrived way too early for #DigitalManifesto launch event - Awkward! But then I get a quiet hour to get some work done at a corner of the room. FYI, @p4pcommission is launching a #DigitalRoadmap that offers 10 steps for developing countries to get ahead in the digital age.

Some of the speakers at the launch are expected to be Strive Masiyiwa, @melindagates, @kenyanpundit, Kamal Bhattacharya of Mojochat and other leading lights of the tech world #DigitalManifesto

It's an interesting concept. In essence, the #DigitalRoadmap looks like this:

1. Design a country-wide holistic digital strategy - essentially get us to all agree on a strategy for Kenya - See Kenya's strategy - http://www.ict.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kenya-Digital-Economy-2019.pdf
#DigitalManifesto

2nd step of the #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Empower citizens for the digital age.
They articulate this as mostly tech training, though I wonder how much we would need to focus on that in Ke considering mobile penetration Possibly focus on tech value? #DigitalRoadmap

Maybe the thing that we should start focusing on as Kenya is finding ways to leapfrog the tech space - DNA sequencing, Research on the nexus btn #AI & agriculture, tech driven business - with focus on innovating basic needs e.g education, water management etc.
#DigitalManifesto

Step 3 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Secure citizens’ data.

Again Kenya is well on its way to having this in place now that #DPA2019 is law. See great thread on this by @StrathCIPIT https://twitter.com/StrathCIPIT/status/1193420454297526277?s=20
#DigitalManifesto

Step 4 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Provide a social safety net for the people most left behind. We are somewhere with this as Kenya, but I think we can better achieve this if we could account for every citizens situation with data at local levels. #DigitalManifesto

"If we make sure people are connected, and we show them the opportunity, they will take control of their future," @melindagates (Paraphrased)

"If the digital revolution that is about to happen is an ocean, the mobile money is our toes in the water. We haven't seen anything yet. Africa could be just consumers, or we could take control by changing our mind." (Paraphrased) Strive Masiyiwa

Step 5 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Develop digital finance and digital ID that work seamlessly together, so that citizens can easily access services. We are doing well with mobile money and hopefully we shall get #HudumaNamba right (increase trust)
#DigitalManifesto

Step 6 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Nurture an enabling investment environment.

" @elonmusk is from SA. Would African banks and VCs have supported him if he had presented the ideas that he has? We have to open up access to capital" Strive Masiyiwa #DigitalManifesto

Step 7 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: End digital exclusion - Ensure basic access to internet, mobile data and electricity is available to all.

How do we get kids to know that their jobs are not yet invented? Foster imagination and curiosity #DigitalManifesto

Step 8 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Transform the health and (continuous) education of your population - Use digital technologies to improve the quality, cost-efficiency and reach of public services for a healthier and better-educated population. #DigitalManifesto

Step 9 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Create adaptive localised tech regulations - Laws and regulations need to be flexible to keep up with the rapid speed of technological change. I don't know how I would rate Kenya in this regard. #DigitalManifesto

Step 10 of #DigitalRoadmap by @p4pcommission: Coordinate internationally - No country is a digital island. Countries need to ensure that cross- border regulations benefit everyone.
#DigitalEconomy

"This is the best of times where Technology is concerned in Kenya, but it can also be the worst of times if we do not harness the opportunities that are available for ourselves," Ruth Kaggia: Senior Advisor to the President #DigitalRoadmap #DigitalManifesto @p4pcommission

"This #DigitalRoadmap is for people and we need to place them at the core of the pathways" @kenyanpundit

"I was brought up by a mother who had expectations of me that I will find solutions, that I contribute. When high expectations are widespread then we shall start to see innovations that have not be seen before." @nyarisam of @wethinkcode #digitalroadmap #DigitalManifesto

"A big mistake we have done is to delink innovation and research from education. We are orienting our African educations to just jobs and thats a misstep. We need to orient our agenda towards our people, we need to have love for our people," @kenyanpundit says. #DigitalManifesto

"We are not likely to find one answer and we need to be aware that we each have a responsibility to find an answer that is specific to a context. Make everybody have access to creation." @nyarisam