Firms jostle for IT billions as State rolls out online services

IBM regional general manager Tony Mwai, says the firm is positioning itself to offer solutions that will enable the government adopt its Smarter government initiatives.

“It will be a smoothly functioning system interconnecting with citizens, communities and businesses in real-time to spark growth, innovation and progress” he said.

Governments, he says can boost the economy by streamlining cumbersome processes and simplifying reporting requirements, which are especially burdensome to small agencies.

For example, the Maryland Department of Labour, Licensing and Regulation has enabled online renewal of professional licenses and public verification of valid license holders.

And the Belgian Crossroads Bank for Social Security has automated 42 services for employers, eliminating 50 social security declaration forms.

As a result, 23 million declarations were made electronically in 2008 – a major productivity benefit for Belgian businesses, saving them an estimated $1.7 billion a year.

However, Dr Kamau Gachigi of University of Nairobi, says government should put measures to ensure local IT companies also get a stake in government business.