The role of cloud in Kenya’s growing tech start-up scene

Africa’s economy is growing rapidly, in part due to the massive boom in start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures. Kenya has the second largest start-up growth on the continent and most of these new companies engage in the technology and commerce sector. Cloud-based networks and systems have a large role to play in the emergence of innovative businesses.

Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has now established itself as a powerful tech hub with hundreds of start-ups - earning the nickname Silicon Savannah. Financial technology and e-commerce businesses are among the most successful to launch in Kenya, which are all driven by entrepreneurial youth and solid information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

SEACOM owns a large section of this infrastructure and has been improving the internet connectivity and enterprise networking capabilities in Kenya for many years. We offer multiple ICT services to small and large businesses in the region, such as software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) and various cloud solutions.

Entrepreneurs rely on the cloud for start-ups

Dedicated founders, government policies and a thriving ICT industry all contribute to the success of new businesses in Kenya. Entrepreneurs have set up innovative companies that rely on online services and scalable solutions. They are agile and able to adapt to new circumstances, using their cloud-based tech to help them test markets and improve upon their offerings quickly.

The founders know the importance of tech in modern business and in reaching new audiences. Cloud-based servers and networks are the norm for start-ups. These solutions allow remote access, secure connections, scalability and reliability. Company software and third-party applications can be stored on a cloud-based server that is automatically backed-up on a regular basis.

Employees can access these servers and networks from any location, allowing them to collaborate on projects and grow the business remotely. Obviously, security is vital for companies that rely on cloud solutions, so advanced protection software is used to encrypt communications, flag suspicious activity and block all forms of cyber threats.

Government policies guide new businesses

The Kenyan government also supports start-ups and ICT businesses. It recently signed a data protection law that puts it on par with European standards - attracting foreign investment for local start-ups and ICT enterprises. The law sets out clear guidelines on how personal data and sensitive information can be stored, used or shared.

Cloud-based servers and networks offer reliable security when it comes to protecting customer data. Leading ICT companies and cloud service providers will manage this security and integrate advanced functionality into their services for start-ups. This ensures scalability of the cloud solutions in line with a company’s growth and new government regulations.

For start-ups, cloud services offer agility, flexibility, security and reliability when it comes to networking and communications. Cloud-based IT services allow employees to focus on more strategic tasks, rather than running legacy IT systems. Companies can quickly access the resources they need, from any location, using the cloud. This is why it has played such a vital role in the growth of Kenyan start-ups.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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