By Shirley Wandera
Mombasa 22/11/2023 – In a visit to the Close the Gap IT Asset Disposition facility in Jomvu, Mombasa, the United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, alongside Belgian Ambassador Peter Maddens and Japan Ambassador Okaniwa Ken, yesterday inspected the cutting-edge processes driving its commitment to sustainable technology practices.
The high-profile visit commenced with the ambassadors taking a comprehensive tour of the facility, witnessing the five-step procedure that ensures the proper disposal and refurbishment of electronic devices: From the initial check-in of laptops, PCs, and desktops to the extensive data-wiping process and subsequent device teardown for repairs.
Notably, the ambassadors had the opportunity to interact with Close the Gap-incubated startup businesses, including Tech Kids Africa. This platform allowed the startups to showcase their products, emphasizing the impact of incubation programs in nurturing and promoting technological innovation within the facility.
In a session with the entrepreneurs, Ambassador Meg Whitman underscored the critical role of government policies in fostering an investor-friendly environment. She emphasized the Kenyan government should proactively develop and implement policies that streamline processes, making it more convenient for investors to establish a foothold in the country.
“The government can and should develop areas of policy that will make it easier for investors to settle into the country, underscoring the importance of streamlining such processes for the benefit of investors,” stated Ambassador Meg Whitman.
The visit provided a firsthand understanding of the technological advancements at the Close the Gap facility, serving as a platform for diplomatic discourse on the imperative need for support to enhance the investment landscape in Kenya.
Such high-profile visits will further catalyze support for initiatives that promote sustainable technology practices and contribute to developing an innovative and investor-friendly environment in Kenya.