Safaricom, one of Kenya’s premier telecommunications companies, has joined forces with the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) to boost digital transformation in 14 counties within the region. This groundbreaking partnership is a major step towards narrowing the digital gap, providing revenue and healthcare management services, and digitizing counties to unlock their economic potential.
The LREB, with a population of 14.9 million, represents about 31.4 percent of Kenya’s population, making it one of the country’s most populous regions. Safaricom’s aim is to offer groundbreaking solutions that will transform the lives of people living in this area.
Safaricom will use the myCounty App to provide a digital platform that will allow all 47 counties to digitize their services and operations through a single citizen access channel. With the platform, the public will have access to county services such as payment of parking fees, single business permits, among others.
Moreover, Safaricom will provide connectivity for county sites, actualize the digital superhighway through fiber connectivity, offer public Wi-Fi, eSubsidy/vouchers for services, secure employee communication, safeguard citizen data, and offer cyber security to the 14 counties within the LREB region.
Makueni County has already embraced the myCounty App, while Elgeyo Marakwet and Nairobi counties have signed a deal with Safaricom to incorporate the App. This move is a clear indication of the potential of the myCounty App to revolutionize the delivery of county services.
Safaricom’s Customer Obsession Director, Lucille Aveva, says that this partnership with the LREB signifies a clear intention to co-create with county governments to digitize devolution. “We cannot achieve our vision to be a purpose-led technology company by 2025 without deliberate and strategic collaboration with both the county and national government,” Aveva added.
According to LREB Chair and Kisumu County Governor, Anyang’ Nyong’o, “Technology continues to play a significant role in achieving a functional devolved government. We are hopeful that our people will soon begin to reap the fruits of this agreement and unlock the economic potential of our counties.”
This collaboration highlights the significance of strategic collaboration between the private sector and county and national governments to drive digital transformation. It is a game-changer and will significantly contribute to bridging the digital divide, providing innovative solutions to transform the delivery of county services, and unlocking the economic potential of the counties within the LREB region.