Any individual or business in Kenya that needs internet connectivity can now have it. This is a big deal! Prior to this year, it has not been so easy for the masses of home and SME business customers. At average prices of US$70 a month for basic speeds, it is still expensive, but considering how useful, connectivity in sub-saharan Africa is affordable to those who need it the most.

So now that internet connectivity is getting cheaper and cheaper, then what?

For starters, Kenyan consumers could use several services to help them with information about, well, eveything!

If I can get my bank balance from an ATM and get a printout, I expect to be able to do the same on my banks website.

If I can get my KPLC electricity bill by SMS, I expect I can get my statements for the last two years on the KPLC website.

I also expect I can compare insurance products from all the insurance companies out there.

I want to quickly find the phone numbers and locations of dentists, lawyers, plumbers and electrical repairmen!

The current mad dash by companies to make money by providing SMS services to mobile users has left a huge chasm in internet information services. Sure I don’t mind an SMS with my bank balance from time to time, but I also want the details.

Developing internet information services involves the hard work of data collection, editing and integration with other systems so that customers and internet users get the information they want quickly and on any internet enabled device. So sorry overnight-internet-millionaire-wannabes, it will be a while before you can buy a yacht.

Why is it that Nakumatt & Uchumi don’t publish their catalog online so that to purchase milk, soap and candles I don’t have to drive to all the way there?

The Kenya Revenue Authority has enabled citizens and businesses to serve themselves on their website for PIN registration, customs clearing and filing of taxes! Excellent! All they need to work on now is usability.

So the rest of Kenyan businesses, big and small need to quickly do the same for their customers and employees.

Filed under: Cool stuff