NAIROBI, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Wednesday launched a task force on blockchain that aims to help the country to leverage technology in order to boost economic growth.
Joe Mucheru, the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) told journalists in Nairobi that the body will have 90 days to develop a 15-year roadmap that will enable the country to tap into the emerging opportunities in the technology space.
"The taskforce will comprise of key sector experts and technology enthusiasts to explore and analyze upcoming digital technologies that demonstrate great potential to transform Kenya's economy," Mucheru said.
He said the specific objectives of the task force will be to critically review distributed ledgers and artificial intelligence technologies with a view to contextualize how the application of these technologies can deliver the country's big four priorities of food security, universal healthcare, manufacturing and affordable housing.
He noted that the government is keen to deploy use of ICT to promote and enhance delivery of government services including health, education and security.
Mucheru said the government has embarked on a number of ambitious projects that include a single source of truth, with the aim of providing every Kenyan a single unique identity from birth.
"From these projects, the country should expect to see increased job creation, growth of companies with several to be listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the emergence of thousands of investors in the technology sector," he added.
Mucheru said Kenya is positioning itself as a hub for regional trade by tapping into emerging technologies in semi-conductor and electronic manufacturing, e-commerce and financial technology.