During the first innovation forum held recently in Nairobi, Kenya, the President launched Enterprise Kenya, a body that will seek to support local ICT innovations to become big global entities.

Enterprise Kenya becomes the latest government project to help the ICT sector grow after forming ICT Authority and the newly created Presidential Digital Talent programme aiming to train the youth in ICT.

"ICT has transformed both the public and private sector. It has made government more efficient, transparent and productive. There is need for our sectors to consume local innovations," President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

"This will not only help build the businesses, it will save the economy from spending a lot of money on foreign systems and licences, and we can in turn channel the money to innovators," he added.

Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology Dr. Fred Matiang'i reiterated the importance of this initiative.

Matiang'i also said that Enterprise Kenya will establish an equity fund to support the local ICT innovations. Other initiatives of Enterprise Kenya will include helping companies navigate the tight government procurement process; work with educational institutions to bring out the best talents.

The innovation forum has been supported by big government bodies such as ministry of information, communication and technology, and also saw the private sector participate to ensure that the country reaches the milestone of employing 180,000 people in ICT by the year 2020.