Kenya is strengthening strategic partnerships with France and the World Bank to accelerate its ambitious digital transformation agenda, signalling the country’s determination to position itself as a regional technology hub in East Africa.
The engagements are being driven by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MoICDE), which is implementing the country’s Digital Masterplan 2022–2032.
The blueprint emphasises scaling up digital infrastructure, promoting e-government services, and fostering digital inclusion nationwide.
On Thursday, Cabinet secretary William Gitau hosted a high-level delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) Group, led by French ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi.
Gitau said discussions focused on progress around AFD’s support for Kenya’s Connectivity and Digital Transformation Project.
The initiative is central to the East African country’s efforts to expand its national aerial fibre optic backbone, establish community digital hubs, and accelerate the rollout of interoperable e-government platforms.
AFD, a public financial institution that executes France’s global sustainable development policy, is co-financing infrastructure upgrades and providing technical expertise to ensure Kenya’s digital transition aligns with global sustainability standards.
“Together, we are laying a strong foundation for a digitally empowered and inclusive Kenya,” Gitau said.
Also on Thursday, the ICT Authority, working with the MoICDE, hosted a delegation from the World Bank led by Michel Rogy, the institution’s regional practice director for digital.
The discussions centred on the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), a flagship programme supported by the World Bank.
KDEAP is designed to scale up digital skills development, improve the quality of education delivery through technology, and modernise the delivery of government services.
According to the ICT Authority, the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to the programme, citing progress in areas such as digital literacy initiatives, education technology integration, and the modernisation of service delivery platforms.
Kenya’s push toward digital transformation comes at a time when African economies are racing to leverage technology to enhance governance, foster innovation, and attract investment. Nairobi has already established itself as a continental innovation hub, hosting leading startups in fintech, agritech, and e-commerce.
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