Kenyan Government to Adopt Blockchain for Tracking Food
In a bid to ensure food security and quickly detect unsafe food products before they get to the consumers, the Kenyan government is looking to integrate distributed ledger technology (DLT), artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies into its food supply chain ecosystem, reports IOL, July 28, 2019.
Kenya Embraces Blockchain Technology
Per sources close to the matter, Joe Mucheru, cabinet secretary of Kenya’s Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), has made it clear to local media in the region that Kenya is looking to adopt new technologies such as DLT and AI and use them to improve food security.
Reportedly, earlier in 2018, Kenya formed the distributed ledger technology and artificial intelligence task force. The primary objective of the body was to formulate a framework with which the country would harness the intricate properties of new technologies.
Now, the task force has presented its report to Mucheru who will further submit it to the cabinet for approval and implementation of the recommendations after public feedback concerning the use of DLT and AI must have been received in the coming weeks.
Promoting Efficiency
Blockchain technology, the building blocks of bitcoin (BTC) and some altcoins is fast gaining traction in various sectors of the global economy due to its excellent capabilities.
Mucheru is not oblivious to the potentials of the revolutionary DLT and has stated categorically that he firmly believes that blockchain, as well as other new technologies, will transform the Kenyan business environment.
Mucheru declared:
“They [new technologies] further promise to enhance public service delivery, while also fostering efficiency in the private sector by streamlining the supply chain,”
Also commenting on the development, Bitange Ndemo, chairperson of the blockchain taskforce, reiterated that integrating the nascent blockchain technology and AI could have a transformative effect across key sectors of the nation’s economy.
In his words:
“The improved efficiency, transparency, and accountability of blockchain can considerably benefit government services in which several emerging markets struggle with inefficient legacy infrastructures and an inability to provide citizens with fast, accountable and transparent service delivery.”
While Kenya is now ready to join the blockchain technology bandwagon, the nation remains wary of cryptocurrencies despite the fact that the Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence Task Force had advised the government to adopt digital currencies.
As reported by BTCManager earlier in July 2019, the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Patrick Njoroge condemned Facebook’s Project Libra, while also hinting that the CBK will not approve cryptos anytime soon.
