The Kenyan government has launched an online portal encouraging cooperative societies to fully incorporate ICT to meet Vision 2030 targets.
A developed web portal, Africoop, enables cooperatives intending to create their web page to do business and compete with others.
The Daily Nation reports Phillip Gichuki, national deputy cooperative commissioner, as saying cooperatives had not adjusted to using of information technology and urged them to develop an online presence.
“Adapting information and communication technology will assist the firms to market themselves by enhancing their visibility in the market place,” he said, adding the service will also facilitate quicker access to cooperative data among cooperatives and other users.
“We developed this portal after realising the slow uptake of technology among local cooperatives most of which do not even have a website. You have to appreciate the importance of online presence in today’s business world,” said Anthony Kabugi, the developer of the software.
The portal,www.africacooperatives.coop, has recruited over 20 cooperative members since its inception last month.
It provides a link to the web which directs users to the upload address, product information and business profile.
“We believe the product will change the business of local cooperatives. Our target is to have at least 500 of them on the portal by the end of the year,” said Kabugi, adding that the plan is to create a one-stop site in which one can find information about all the cooperatives in the region.
