Kenya’s rising profile as a software developing nation is set to place the commodity on the country’s list of exports this year as companies and governments continue the search for effective cost-cutting tools.
Figures from the Ministry of Information reveal the sector raked in over KES 500 million (USD 6.6 million) in revenues last year, and that figure is projected to double as the country’s profile rises around the world.
Currently, Kenya biggest exports are tangible goods such as horticultural exports, tea, and soda ash.
A shift to virtual software exports would position the country to compete in the same class as India, which makes upwards of KES 4 billion (USD 52.9 million) per annum in software exports.
Local software manufacturers say they are experiencing an upswing in interest from foreign companies, who are drawn to Kenyan developers due to their ability to churn out cheap but innovative solutions. Read the rest of this entry »

For most English speakers, computer terms such as “instant messenger,” “download” and “cut and paste” seem quite ordinary. However, for millions of African indigenous language speakers, the absence of technology in their own language simply increases the digital divide.
Microsoft Corporation today announced Microsoft OneApp, a new software application that enables feature phones — commonly found in emerging markets — to access mobile apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger, and other popular apps and games.
Vodacom promises to transform the hosted computing landscape in South Africa through a partnership with Microsoft. South African businesses will soon have access to business software services on a pay-as-you-go basis, thanks to a program launched last week by Vodacom Business and Microsoft. The announcement, made at Microsoft’s Partner Summit in Durban, will see Vodacom offer bundled business applications along with its mobile voice and data offerings.