K. A. PANZEREV, Doctor of Political Sciences and Candidate of Philology Saint Petersburg State University

Kenya Keywords: information policy, information technologies. Konza. international investments, "silicon savanna". East African Community of Nations

Today, we are witnessing a situation where the formation of a knowledge-based economy is becoming one of the main national policy priorities of both developed and developing countries, and the latter see innovative technologies as an effective tool that can ensure sustainable socio-economic growth. In the modern socio-political discourse, the thesis that "without the development of an innovative economy or a knowledge-based economy, the very existence of independent states is problematic today"is firmly established.¹

In this regard, it is understandable why the leaders of most African countries have declared the development of information technologies to be one of the highest priorities. A number of countries on the continent have developed concepts, action plans and strategies aimed at the development of such technologies, designed for both the long and medium term. This fact, in particular, is indicated by the Kenyan " Vision 2030 "(Kenya Vision 2030) - a program document adopted in 2008. According to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Tuita Mwangi, it is a development program for the country for the period 2008-2030, aimed at turning Kenya "...into an industrialized country with a middle income that provides citizens with a high standard of living"².

HOW DO THEY WANT TO SEE KENYA IN 2030?

This program identifies three components in the socio-economic and political development of the country - economic, social and political.

The main goal set out in this document is to create an internationally competitive and prosperous society with a high standard of living in the country by 2030. In this regard, it is expected to achieve sustainable annual economic growth of 10%. In the social sphere, it is planned to create favorable conditions for building a cohesive society that receives satisfaction from equal social development. Finally, in the political sphere, it is necessary to create a democratic political system focused on the individual and his needs.

The program emphasizes that all the strategic directions outlined in it are more or less based on the use of the latest innovative technologies. Without them, which is certainly true, progressive socio-economic development of the country is not possible.

Vision 2030 calls the most urgent need to introduce academic disciplines related to the study of the basics of computer literacy into the education system in primary and secondary schools. The program pays special attention to computerization of Kenyan schools, so that over time a whole generation of people will grow up in the country prepared to live and work in the information society. The document provides for the development of a set of measures aimed at stimulating the use of modern information and telecommunications technologies in research centers, universities and commercial organizations. ³

However, I believe that the attitude to this document cannot be unambiguous. Apparently, we are most likely facing an objectively unrealizable ambitious plan: to catch up with the highly developed countries of the Western world. The main thing in it is just propaganda. But we must admit that the general vision of the prospects for socio - economic development of the country as a whole is correct. The course of building an innovative economy should become one of the main national priorities for any state seeking equal integration into the global information and communication space. However, one correct vision of this problem is not enough to dramatically accelerate the country's development.

In this regard, it is interesting to see what practical steps have been taken by the political leadership of Kenya to implement the Vision 2030.

THREE "COMPONENTS" OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

As you know, the foundation of the information society is based on three main components: the availability of a developed information and communication infrastructure that meets modern standards; the development of a computer education system; and the availability of original research and development projects in the field of the most promising information technologies. From our point of view, the latter component is the key condition for the transition to a modern innovative economy.

The Kenyan government recognizes this fact, so the country's leadership has taken a course to create its own in-

information and communication industry. Particular importance is attached to the development of the national multimedia technology park, which involves organizing the production of computers and software in the country in order to reduce dependence on foreign supplies and adapt computer equipment to the needs of the Kenyan population as much as possible.

If a country really wants to take more or less equal positions in the global information and communication space, it is really necessary to solve this problem. This is rightly pointed out by some representatives of African academic science. Professor Nixon Ohara-Muganda of Nairobi State University, in particular, notes that today Kenya, like many other African countries, remains an importer of modern technologies, and therefore has minimal influence on their development. The information technologies supplied to the country only contribute to the growth of the country's technical dependence on the leading world powers. In addition, they cannot in principle meet all the needs of the Kenyan population4. In this regard, Ohara-Muganda calls for leading Kenyan universities, such as the State University of Nairobi, the United States International University and the Kenya Multimedia University, to start training personnel capable of working in the emerging national computer industry. In his opinion, the Kenyan Multimedia University and the Bureau of Standards should monitor the quality of education. However, in our opinion, it is unlikely that any single African country will be able to fully solve this problem on its own.

This is a complex and contradictory situation. Almost all African countries recognize the need to develop modern information technologies in their territories. But it is obvious that in order to create a proper information and communication infrastructure, each country must have, on the one hand, national programs for the development of relevant technologies, and on the other, a strong financial and material - technical base for the implementation of relevant projects, the lack of which today is the main obstacle to the independent development of states. That is why, when developing national scientific and technological capabilities, African countries try to act with a certain eye on their Western partners and expect their help and support.

SO FAR, WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT THE WEST...

In an effort to build an information society that meets modern requirements on their territory in a short time, most African countries have found themselves forced to carry out economic and political transformations that are beneficial to Western investors, aimed at creating a favorable investment climate that can ensure the influx of foreign investment. This process initially had the character of "controlled liberalization" and quickly turned into an almost uncontrolled spontaneous process, as a result of which almost the entire information and telecommunications infrastructure of the continent fell into the private ownership of enterprises with foreign participation. The principle of "full liberalization" of the information and telecommunications sector was proclaimed, in particular, in the same Kenya, when the question arose about the technical modernization of the capacity of its telecommunications industry.

At the same time, back in 1980, i.e. 33 years ago, a report of the National Council for Science and Technology of Kenya noted that dependence on a foreign research base negates efforts to build national scientific and technological potential, and it was rightly argued that such research would serve mainly foreign interests. Back then, Kenyan university and college professors and lecturers were encouraged to work together to identify key issues that required a detailed scientific and theoretical understanding, and to develop appropriate research strategies and programs.⁵

However, it was clear to everyone that large financial resources were needed to develop their own scientific and technological base. Unfortunately, national research centers and higher education institutions in most African countries, including Kenya, do not have the finances to conduct their own large-scale scientific research and attract world-renowned scientists to it.

High hopes were pinned on the African Consolidated Plan of Action in the region of-

The 2006-2010 Strategy for Science and Technology, which was approved and supported in 2005 at the Group of Eight Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. It decided to assist African countries in establishing national training centers.⁶ Over time, this task was assigned to the International Association of Science Parks, which was joined in 2008 by the South African Innovation Center for High Technologies in Precision Engineering.⁷

Currently, the World Bank (WB) is also helping to establish research centers in Africa, with the assistance of which a non-governmental African network of incubators was created, bringing together more than 300 companies from several African countries - South Africa, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Angola and Ghana. The purpose of this organization is "...to support incubators and small innovative enterprises by sharing knowledge and experience, conducting seminars, consulting specialists and other actions aimed at helping local business development " ⁸.

TECHNOPARK IN THE AFRICAN SAVANNA

One of the latest initiatives of the incubator network was the development of a project for the construction of a modern high - tech innovation complex-the Konza Techno City technopark, which is to be located in the savannah on 2 thousand hectares approximately 70 km southeast of Nairobi. The new city and science and technology center became known as the "silicon savanna". According to its creators, over time it should be similar to the world-famous American "silicon valley".

Konza should house companies engaged in business process outsourcing, software development, data processing and disaster recovery centers, call centers, as well as several light industry enterprises. Residential areas, hospitals, schools, hotels, etc. are planned to be built in the new city. infrastructure items.

When implementing this project, in addition to increasing the flow of investment to the country, they expect to solve another important problem - employment of the population and improving the living standards of Kenyans. By 2015, it is planned to create 20 thousand new jobs, and by 2030 they hope to increase their number to 200 thousand. ⁹

The state-owned transport company Kenya Railways plans to connect Konza City with other cities with a new high-speed railway designed for trains traveling at speeds of up to 180 km ^per hour10. In January 2013, President Mwai Kibaki took part in a solemn ceremony to start construction. He stated: "The construction of Konza will boost trade, increase investment, and enable the development of information and communication technologies in Kenya." ¹¹ However, the actual work on creating the future technopark has not yet begun - there is only a master plan for the new city. Officials have not yet announced the completion date of construction either. The participation of the country's top management in the development and approval of the Konza Techno City project indicates that the state considers the construction of a high-tech modern complex to be one of the key national priorities, the implementation of which will contribute to Kenya's transition to an innovative economy. However, the propaganda component of the project still prevails.

To control the construction of the complex, a special department of Konza Technopolis Development was created, which, as stated, should ensure "the transformation of Konza into a reliable world-class technological "harbor"and the main economic" engine of the nation " ¹². Banker John Ngumi has been appointed head of the new department.

The estimated cost of building a " silicon savanna "in Kenya is estimated at 800 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $9 billion). At the same time, the government is going to cover only about 5% of the costs. The main hopes for the successful completion of this ambitious project are pinned on private businesses. The state plans to lease land plots allocated for construction to private investors, who will be engaged in the construction of specific facilities.

It should be recognized, however, that the implementation of the Silicon Savanna project faces many difficulties and challenges. They can be divided into three categories: environmental, economic, and political.

THREE MAIN PROBLEMS

Environmental difficulties lie in the fact that the construction of an innovative complex can cause great harm to wildlife. After all, Kenya is, first of all, a national country.-

public parks. Environmentalists are particularly concerned that the implementation of the project may interfere with the natural migration of wild animals. However, this problem seems to be solved. In order to minimize the impact of the city's construction on wildlife, the master plan provides for the creation of a reserve with a total area of 30 hectares inside the complex. It is also planned to create a special corridor for animal migration along ^the southern city line with a total area of 624 ha13.

Economic difficulties are associated with the fact that it is not yet clear: since the main hopes for the creation of the city are pinned on private investors, it is not known whether the Kenyan government will be able to create conditions for attracting a large flow of foreign investment. And, more importantly, will foreign investors find the implementation of this project a profitable enterprise? There is no answer to these questions.

On the official website of Koma Techno City, there are only lengthy, and long-standing, promises of the Kenyan government to create proper conditions for attracting private business. Statistics designed to show the investment attractiveness of Kenya have also been published. The website, in particular, states that the country's GDP in 2011 was $35 billion, and GDP per capita -$800. Total GDP growth in 2011 was 4.4%, while in 2012 it was planned to increase by 5.2% (at the time of writing, data on actual economic growth have not yet been published).¹⁴. Thus, Kenya is presented to potential investors as a country with attractive financial and economic prospects. Ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth in the country is associated with the continued development of such sectors of the economy as agriculture, tourism, transport and the information and telecommunications industry.

The main competitive advantage of Kenya is its favorable geographical location, which makes it a contender to become a gateway to the East African Community of Nations.

By investing in the Kenyan economy, especially in the development of its information and communication sector, potential investors can also enter the promising markets of Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In general , it is a vast region with a population of 150 million ¹⁵.

WHO WILL BECOME THE OWNER OF THE AFRICAN "SILICON SAVANNA"?

Thus, today we are mainly talking about finding promising investors who are ready to invest significant funds in the project implementation. But here, of course, one more question should be asked: how much will silicon savanna become an African enterprise focused on solving African problems? If we assume that the main investors will be Western entrepreneurs, who, by the way, are already quite firmly established in the Kenyan information and telecommunications market, then this seems unlikely.

Let us also remind you that today the political situation in Kenya is unpredictable. The March 2013 presidential election was won by Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the wave of violence that swept the country since the last presidential election in 2007.

Now several important issues are on the agenda. What will be the final outcome of the ICC's decision against the current head of a sovereign State, and what legal, economic and political consequences will it have? Will the opposition leaders and the President-elect be able to reach an agreement and create an effective coalition government? What position will the leading Western powers take in relation to U. Kenyatta and will they recognize his power as legitimate? It is also not entirely clear whether the winner of the presidential election will become U. Will Kenyatta consistently continue the policy of M. Kibaki and support the initiatives adopted by his predecessor in this high post, including the construction of the "silicon savanna"?

Based on the above, we can conclude that the creation of technology parks in Africa is still possible only with the help and largely under the control of global international financial organizations and foreign private investors. At the same time, the lack of necessary financial, logistical and human resources creates a "vicious circle effect" and does not allow African countries to fully embark on the path of forming a modern information technology society.

^{Plotinsky Yu. M.} 1 Problema razvitiya obshchestva znanii: sotsiokognitivnyj podkhod [The problem of development of the knowledge society: a sociocognitive approach].

² Website of the Embassy of Kenya in Moscow - http://kencmb.ru/ncws/63-slovo-postoya-nnogo-sekretarya-ministra.html

³ Kenya Vision 2030. Nairobi, January 2007, p. 20 // Ministry of State for Planning and National Development and Vision 2030 - http://www.planing.go.ke

^{Ochara-Muganda N., Belle J. P. van.} 4 The Link between the Conceptualization ol c-(ioverninent and its Perceived Impacts: an Exploratory Empirical Study in Kenya // Electronic Journal of e-Covernment, 2010. Vol. 1, issue 2, p. 162 - 175 - http:www.ejg. com/issue/download.html VidArticle-206

⁵ Science and Technology for Development. A Report of National Council for Science and Technology. NCST. May 1980, p. 16.

⁶ hllp://www.g8russia.ru/g8/hist,ory/ gltneagles2005

^{Runov B. B.} 7 Africa south of the Sahara: new forms of organization of economic activity / / Asia and Africa today. 2010, No. 9, p. 26.

⁸ Ibid.

⁹ http://mastremont.ru/news/sikiconovy-ujusavannu/2013 - 01 - 30 - 426

¹⁰ http://glavnoe.Ua/news/n 123864

¹¹ http://igeek.ru/novosti/11157-v-kenii-stroyal-silikonovuyu-doliny.html

¹² Official website of Konza Techno City - http://www.konzacily.co.ke

¹³ Ibidem.

¹⁴ Ibid.

¹⁵ Ibid.

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