This proposal outlines a project by Imagine Digital to accelerate Kenya's digital revolution by providing opportunities for youth. It proposes developing mobile apps to support government initiatives, creating an app store and developer registry for youth to launch apps for the government, and redesigning government websites to be more accessible and informative. The goal is to translate ICT into programs that drive economic growth by empowering youth, improving access to information, and supporting new initiatives. This will create jobs for youth and harness their skills and innovation to develop digital solutions that benefit citizens.

1. PROJECT ProposalThe Digital Take OffPrepared for: Director of Digital, New Media and Diaspora in the Office of the President. IMAGINEDigital

2. Statement of Confidentiality
This proposal and supporting materials contain confidential and proprietary business information of Imagine
Digital. These materials may be printed or photocopied for use in evaluating the proposed project, but are not to
be shared with other parties. The information within is regarded as private and confidential.

3. THE DIGITAL TAKE OFF: Translating ICT into programs that add value and drive economic growth.
We acknowledge the significant strides that the government under the leadership of H.E Uhuru Kenyatta Commander In Chief of that Kenya defense forces, C.G.H has taken in digitizing Kenya. We also acknowledge the role played by the partners of government in meeting the goal of having a digital Kenya.
The nation has witnessed better and increased services from government through platforms such as the Huduma Centre, the levels of corruption have significantly reduced through the adoption of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). Most of all the youth have been placed by the government at the helm of this digital revolution. This has allowed them to build software and solutions of which the government is the first customer. This has led to significant increase in employment opportunities for the youth.
We believe that at this point in our nation’s development, Kenya needs creative, innovative, and strong willed youth to accelerate the already ongoing digital revolution.
As our nation grows, so do the demands on specific skills and services. It is with this in mind that Imagine Digital, a platform for young and creative minds to exercise their imagination and develop their ideas into solutions was formed. It brings together innovative and highly skilled youth who build web sites, develop mobile applications, conduct full re-branding campaigns and develop working strategies around this.
It is with this in mind that we have decided to put our creative energies and skills together in order to develop, software and solutions for government that will translate ICT into programs that add value and eventually drive economic growth.

4. Young people are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for
counsel; and more fit for new projects than for settled business.
-- Francis Bacon

5. OUR AGENDA
Drawing heavily from the government’s spirit of development inclusion and progressiveness our team believes in offering quality products and solutions that serve to empower the women and the youth in Kenya. In order for this to happen, the digital revolution must be accelerated to allow for the digital take off.
Project Overview
Our agenda is geared towards:
•
Developing mobile and web applications that support and complement government initiatives and government sponsored initiatives such as the Beyond Zero Campaign.
•
Providing a platform for innovative and creative youth to deploy their mobile applications to the public, with the government as the first client.
•
Creating a trend that drives the citizens to seek information on revamped and updated government websites.
•
Creating an Online platform for the youth to seek and apply for government internship.
•
Creating a platform for youth to know which mobile or web applications to create that have immediate need in the republic.
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Creating an Online resource repository for the Kenyan youth sitting exams to gain access to exam preparation material and other study material.
Our strategy is built upon three pillars:
1.
Opportunities for the youth
2.
Information access
3.
Initiative

6. OPPORTUNITIES FOR
THE YOUTH
“We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage
to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward
good ends.”
-- Mary McLeod Bethune

7. OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH
The Challenge
The youth are burdened with high levels of unemployment since the system churns out more qualified youth faster than jobs can be created.
The youth lack a platform onto which they can release and share their innovation and creations with the government and the country as a whole.
The youth lack a central and moderated resource for ideas on solutions that need to be developed.
The youth lack a platform that will identify them as government developers.
The Opportunity
The government will create endless job opportunities for the youth that will result from creation of startup companies and provide endless opportunities for their advancement.
The government will have a centralized app store for solutions for the public, and the civil service that will be centered on government services, such as tax verification mobile applications.
The government will have ready youth mobile and software developers who will work on tailor made solutions for the public on behalf of the government.
The government will support the youth and empower them for bigger opportunities in future.
The Solution
Creation of a government app store which will hold applications from the youth developers, the applications will be for the public, the civil service and will be created around government services.
Creation of a central repository of solutions required by government that the registered government developers will apply to undertake in.
Creation of a platform that registers government developers who will be involved in the creation of solutions on behalf of government.
The youth in Kenya are endlessly increasing their skill levels and pursuing education in a bid to secure elusive job opportunities, it is however a known fact that they can create leading technologies and innovations such as what is epitomized by Safaricom Limited’s Mpesa mobile money transfer service that is leading the world.

8. INFORMATION ACCESS
Information is the currency of democracy.
-Thomas Jefferson

9. INFORMATION ACCESS
The Challenge
There are many outdated government websites that can be a good information resource but are not up to standard.
Irregular government website updates and maintenance schedules.
Irregular audience engagement from the website.
Poor source of information as most of it is outdated.
Poor marketing of the websites as a source of information and downloadable brochures and flyers.
The Opportunity
The government will engage with more citizens and provide services to many of them Online.
The government will reach more citizens with information from their mobile handsets owing to the fact that there are 24 million mobile hand sets and virtually every adult has access to a mobile phone.
The government will have a direct channel through the specific websites to collect feedback information on service delivery to the citizens.
The Solution
Redesigning government websites to conform to modern trends in the Online world.
Review of content on the government websites.
Developing downloadable brochures
Developing mobile responsive websites.
Development of mobile applications such as the weather application.
Kenyans are constantly seeking information on various government services and solutions that government can offer. Kenyans spend a lot of time Online on social media and on websites. The government has done well in leveraging on the power of social media. The government however needs some of its old websites redone to match the current trends that the Online consumers demand.

10. INITIATIVE
“Africa has great potential and more than 65% of Africa’s people are young”
- Andrew, South Africa

11. INITIATIVE
The Challenge
Many government initiatives and government sponsored initiatives would have greater reach if a digital or Online version of it was created. Initiatives such as the beyond zero campaign would benefit the project beneficiaries immensely with a corresponding mobile application.
The government is expected to provide internship placement opportunities for the youth, this can be actualized to also include the private sector through the creation of a platform that allows the youth to benefit from internship opportunities.
There is increasing over commercialization of services that ought to be provided for free, such is notable in the education sector where revision material is over commercialized thus locking out students from the benefits of synthesized examination preparation material.
The Opportunity
Increased initiatives by government to benefit the citizens of Kenya
Improved service delivery by the government to the citizens of Kenya.
Access to internship placement opportunities both in government and in the private sector through a government platform.
Increased engagement with the youth
Harnessing youth potential by government through the various Online initiatives.
The Solution
Creation and development of the beyond zero mobile application.
Creation and development of the Online intern placement system.
Creation of an Online e-Learning and examination preparation platform.
With the states challenges opportunities and solutions we believe that we will be making positive steps towards the digital takeoff in Kenya.
Solutions for Kenya provided through an Online platform have infinite potential of changing lives. Many Kenyans spend their time Online and virtually every adult in the country has access to a mobile phone. This presents a great opportunity for the country to have initiatives running Online to reach many more citizens because distance will no longer be a factor.

12. IMAGINE DIGITALTel: 0702 845 341Email: info@imaginedigital.co.ke