The Kenyan government has announced plans to provide financial and infrastructural support to digital content creators in a bid to empower them to spread their businesses and create job opportunities.
State Department for ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui said the initiative will help content creators scale their businesses while accessing the necessary resources to succeed in the digital economy.
“We are going also to engage our colleagues in other Ministries to ensure that the young people can access the funding that they might need. We are also working with partners to see how we can access additional funding and also grants that can help to grow the sector,” Eng. Tanui stated.
Partnerships With Digital Platforms
Eng. Tanui announced that the government has partnered with Facebook (META) to ensure content creators can earn from their work.
“We are very happy with even the collaboration we have with META. We have been able to unlock some funding to continue to build the sector and even make it possible for other players to also come and make their additional contribution. Government is committed to support the content creators,” he said.
He added that the government is banking on collaborations with digital platform players like META to provide creators access to infrastructure through digital hubs being established nationwide.
Building Digital Hubs Across the Country
The Principal Secretary made the remarks yesterday during a meeting with over 40 digital content creators at his Nairobi office. He revealed that, in partnership with the government of South Korea, Kenya is constructing the largest digital media hub at KONZA through the Concert Digital Media Facility.
Eng. Tanui also emphasized that the government is rolling out digital hubs in every county to support the creative industry.
“Construction of centres of excellence, which are larger digital hubs, is ongoing in every county. We are also working with Members of Parliament to ensure that every ward across the country has a digital hub,” he said.
He added that these hubs will give young people in villages access to the internet, computers, devices, and training, creating spaces where they can develop digital skills and grow their content creation ventures.
Content Creators Applaud Government Support
Speaking at the same forum, content creator Diana Yegon welcomed the government’s effort to monetize digital content, saying it has provided opportunities for creatives to get jobs.
“As the creatives of this country, for the first time we are being appreciated, our efforts are being seen because for a very long time, content creators have been taken for granted. Our job has been taken like a joke and finally it is paying off and yes content creation pays,” she said.
Ms. Yegon added,
“We don’t have to go to work or report to the office. This is a full-time job and this is just to appreciate the government for granting us this opportunity and for our president for, you know, contacting and making connections with META. Now, as Kenyans, we are happy that as content creators we have a full-time job.”
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