Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27July 2010

Challenges faced in Greening the ICT Supply chain.

Derick Simiyu Khamali Communications Commission of Kenya

Email: khamali@cck.go.ke

ITU Green Standards week (Paris France , 16 – 21 September 2012 )

Nairobi, Kenya, 26 – 27 July 2010 2

Introduction

Climate change is a reality that has dawned on all regardless of the position and experience. Kenya has and continues to put in measures to adapt and mitigate climate change. This however has unfolded several challenges both administratively and technically. ICTS are clearly identified as contributors to the –ve change but are also identified as the best possible solution providers.

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Abstract

The ICT industry is rated in the 21st century as the most dynamic in technological and economic developments worldwide. ICT Applications have been translated into chief economic pillars for most economies and growth in its GDP contributions. The supply chain for materials is not clear and is subject to tension between the source and the manufacturers.

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Status in Kenya

Kenya like most of Africa and the rest of the globe has seen tremendous uptake of ICT applications, products and services. This range from fixed, mobile and wireless telephony etc.

The uptake in modern technology driven by ICT has seen Kenya pioneer new fronts like mobile money transfer led by Safaricom award winning MPESA among other services and products like Content service provision via short codes riding on mobile communication.

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Challenges faced

As technology advances and the population’s interest’s increase, manufacturers are ever pressured to diversify and add value to the production line to remain relevant and meet the market demands as they distinguish themselves from competition and in the quest to grab a niche of their brands. Kenya like most of Africa; does not produce the products on its market i.e. Handsets, cables and accessories. This is imported from overseas manufacturers.

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Regional supply chain.

The great lakes region however has a rich deposit of mineral ores that provide the highly demanded raw materials for ICT Productions.Kenya through its port and infrastructure; acts both as a source and the conduit of transport to the rest of the world for both the incoming and outgoing supplies. New products access the local market via Kenya and the raw materials mined within the region also leave via Kenya.

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Initiatives There are a number of initiatives projected to make the supply chain safe and sustainable. There is government effort and the input from the private sector and NGOs.This efforts however remain challenged if not well coordinated and relevant positions taken by independent jurisdictions. While some regions are endowed with mineral ores, other are the conduits and infrastructure providers for viable exploration and export. Productions.

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Initiatives

Some recorded initiatives and collaborations include: The SUBA GFSI project.The Academia research (MMUST, UoN, JKUAT). The collaboration & output by NEMA.The collaboration & output by Kebs The collaboration & output by CCK The collaboration & output by RPBThe collaboration & output by ACA.

Interventions

CCK Has in collaboration with other entities provided leadership on the ICT and climate change arena.

Organized conferences on management of E- Waste and sensitization on climate change.

Developed MOUs with multiple stakeholders to consolidate the efforts.

Developing collaboration with the Academia. Introduction of standardization in higher learning curriculum.

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Practical works

Developed guidelines for the management of the Electronic Waste. (ref:NEMA )Developed guidelines for infrastructure.Developed a code of practice for the deployment of infrastructure. (Ref:CCK).Introduced ICT industry policies and regulatory enforcement mechanisms like Anti Counterfeit campaigns and the recycling polices for organisations.

Challenges affecting the supply chain:

Lack of policies and enforcement mechanismsPoor or nonexistent waste management policies like recycling and separation at source. Sustained supply of the Substandard and counterfeit ICT Equipment. Lack of standardisation in education curriculum and hence no sensitised man power and public education. There is sustained conflicts while exploration of the minerals is ongoing. Under these conditions, there is no consideration on environmental degradation and conservation efforts.

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Challenges affecting the supply chain:

There are no clearly defined and identified recycling plants. There is little re-use and end of life polices.

The mining ores are then hastily abandoned after the minerals of interest are depleted making these sites completely inhabitable, dangerous and non productive. The end result is that the communities are impoverished more and are prone to engage in further conflict with authorities and any perceived cause of their afflictions.

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Conclusion. There is therefore a global need to address and reorganize the exploration and supply of the so called conflict minerals to stop, avoid and mitigate the conflicts and reverse the negative environmental effects in the so called Conflict zones. There is need to intensify the investment in recycling, and reuse efforts. There is need for more collaboration among manufacturing and supplying entities and their jurisdictions. More enforcement of environmental management practices should be adopted.

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Thank you!