KICTANet Digest, Vol 185, Issue 40

I am overwhelmed by all the kind messages, calls, texts, emails and
comments across platforms. It really is good to be home!

Thanks Indeje for sharing this. As you’re all aware I’m a (very) proud
KICTANetter and a loud advocate of the amazing work we do here as a one
stop shop for all stakeholders in the ICT Policy field with such meaningful
work recognized locally, regionally and globally. Our intention as an org
at ICANN and on my personal behalf, is to remain actively engaged in the
community, to continue working collaboratively and to keep building on the
amazing foundation that @Bob Ochieng <[email protected]> set up for us.
Bob (in his new VVIP role <www.icann.org/profiles/284> as Senior
Director, New gTLD Subsequent Procedures still at ICANN 🙂 ) and I still
remain in Nairobi at our Africa Engagement Center in the CBD, a
call/text/tweet/email away.

P.s. I was in the inaugural KESIG class
<www.kictanet.or.ke/kenya-school-of-internet-governance-2016-fellows/>
#proudalum 🙂

Kind Regards,
June Okal
LinkedIn Profile <ke.linkedin.com/in/juneokal>
www.juneokal.com

On Tue, 18 Jul 2023 at 12:46, <[email protected]> wrote:

> Send KICTANet mailing list submissions to
> [email protected]
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>
> mm3-lists.kictanet.or.ke/mm/lists/kictanet.lists.kictanet.or.ke/
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body ‘help’ to
> [email protected]
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> [email protected]
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than “Re: Contents of KICTANet digest…”
>
> Today’s Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Congratulations Ms June Okal🎉🎉 (sheriff)
> 2. Re: Call for Comments for Removal of 30pct local Shareholding for
> Foreign ICT Companies
> (Linda Wairure)
>
>
> ———————————————————————-
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:05:32 +0300
> From: sheriff <[email protected]>
> Subject: [kictanet] Re: Congratulations Ms June Okal🎉🎉
> To: Kenya’s premier ICT Policy engagement platform
> <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/html; charset=”utf-8″
>
> A message part incompatible with plain text digests has been removed …
> Name: not available
> Type: text/html
> Size: 4096 bytes
> Desc: not available
>
> ——————————
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 12:42:48 +0300
> From: Linda Wairure <[email protected]>
> Subject: [kictanet] Re: Call for Comments for Removal of 30pct local
> Shareholding for Foreign ICT Companies
> To: “Kenya’s premier ICT Policy engagement platform”
> <[email protected]>
> Message-ID:
> > [email protected]>
> Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> boundary=”00000000000076b8120600bfbd1a”
>
> Removal of the 30% local shareholding will attract foreign investment,
> stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, technological advancement,
> promote competition and market efficiency, expand export potential and
> access to global markets.
>
> However, on the cons echoing Mr. Walubengo’s sentiments. There are certain
> risks to it such as; potential loss of local control and influence over the
> ICT sector, decreased incentive for knowledge transfer and skills
> development, risk of economic leakage and reduced local economic benefits
> and disruption to existing local ICT companies and potential job losses.
>
> Case Study:
> 1. Malaysia Digital replaces Multimedia Super Corridor exempting foreign
> companies in certain areas from local ownership requirements. This led to
> the boost of foreign investment.
>
> www.mondaq.com/fin-tech/1227186/multimedia-super-corridor-msc-to-malaysia-digital-md-a-revamp-of-malaysias-digital-economy-initiative
>
> 2. Singapore’s Information Development Authority, business incentives for
> foreign investors. However, most of them have local ownership requirements
> in order to promote knowledge transfer and foster collaboration with local
> entities. The policy aimed to ensure that foreign investors partnered with
> local companies, enabling technology and skills transfer to the local
> workforce. The IDA closely monitored compliance with the policy and
> provided support for companies to meet the requirement. This approach
> helped attract foreign investments while promoting local capacity building
> and innovation in the ICT sector.
>
> www.aseanbriefing.com/news/business-and-tax-incentives-for-foreign-investors-in-singapore/
> www.imda.gov.sg/how-we-can-help/smes-go-digital/start-digital
>
> 3.India’s Software Technology Parks (STP) implemented a different approach
> by not mandating a specific local shareholding requirement for foreign ICT
> companies
>
>
> On Wed, 12 Jul 2023, 13:40 Barrack Otieno via KICTANet, <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Out of curiosity, has anyone done some research or come across research
> on
> > the impact of this directive on the ecosystem. Is the ecosystem
> extractive
> > or beneficial. Can we measure the level of knowledge transfer that such a
> > directive has resulted in?, it would be nice to have a debate on the pros
> > and cons which can be part of our contribution.
> >
> > Best Regards
> >
> > On Wed, Jul 12, 2023 at 1:04 PM Wainaina Mungai via KICTANet <
> > [email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> My comment would be to echo Walubengo’s point in April 2023:
> >>
> >> “The rationale for the 30% rule was simply to ensure foreign investors,
> >> especially in the high-tech sector like ICT, would be forced to partner
> >> with locals for purposes of knowledge transfer.”
> >>
> >> — Instead of removing the requirement, improve monitoring and reporting
> >> on the tech and knowledge transfer.
> >>
> >> — Enhance transparency in operator licencing to minimize the abuse of
> >> the requirement.
> >>
> >> Removing the requirement may mean the local gatekeepers and brokers will
> >> achieve their armtwisting without any risk of exposure.
> >>
> >> My two cents…
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Wed, Jul 12, 2023, 12:09 PM David Indeje via KICTANet <
> >> [email protected]> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Dear Listers,
> >>>
> >>> Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology has
> >>> proposed the removal of the 30% local shareholding requirement for
> foreign
> >>> ICT companies. The National ICT Policy Guidelines, 2020, gazetted under
> >>> section 5(4) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA)
> (No.2
> >>> of 1998), currently requires all licensees to comply with the 30% local
> >>> shareholding provisions within a 3-year grace period.
> >>>
> >>> For more information: State frees Airtel, tech giants from 30pc local
> >>> stake sale – Business Daily (businessdailyafrica.com)
> >>> <
> www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/state-frees-airtel-from-30pc-local-stake-sale-requirement–4300564
> >
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> —
> >>> *Kind Regards,*
> >>>
> >>> *David Indeje*
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________
> >>> +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856
> >>> KICTANet portals
> >>> KICTANet.or.ke <kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter
> >>> | LinkedIn
> >>> <www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook
> >>> <www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>
> >>>