Kenyans most optimistic about Internet’s power to improve lives

More Kenyans, especially urban youths, are increasingly venturing into technology-based businesses. PHOTO | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NEVILLE OTUKI

In Summary

• The Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust ranks Internet users in Kenya as most optimistic about the potential of the Web in improving their fortunes, second only to Nigerians.

The view among Kenyans about the Internet as a tool for creating wealth and transforming lives ranks higher than that of nationals from a dozen large economies, a global report shows.

The Global Survey on Internet Security and Trust ranks Internet users in Kenya as most optimistic about the potential of the Web in improving their fortunes, second only to Nigerians.

The study places Nigeria tops with 97 per cent ahead of Kenya’s 95 per cent, followed by Indonesia (94 per cent), India (92 per cent) and China (90 per cent). It was undertaken between October and November by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) through research firm Ipsos.

Some 23,376 respondents from 24 nations including the US, UK, Japan and Germany, were polled. They were asked to give their views on the role of the Internet in their economic prospects and livelihood in future.

The findings underline the narrative about Kenyans’ huge appetite for ICT whose massive uptake has continued to create wealthy technpreneurs. More Kenyans, especially urban youths, are increasingly venturing into technology-based businesses as a ticket to riches. Universities have also stepped up their drive for online courses targeting busy working students.

The report also highlights Kenyans’ huge penchant for Internet use for entertainment. With increased access to smartphones, more Kenyans have taken to social networking sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube as pastimes.

The demand for ICT has been watered by Kenya’s expanding tech-savvy middle-income population.

A deep Internet penetration in major towns–brought about by the laying of undersea cables– is yet another enabler. Respondents aged between 16 and 64 took part in the study that placed the US at position 18, followed by Sweden, Germany, Canada, France and Italy at the bottom.