Kenya, EU deepen digital economy partnership at tech forum

Fifty years of EU-Kenya ties just got a massive tech upgrade, with Nairobi positioning itself as the go-to investment hub for the continent’s digital gold rush.

The digital stats driving the pitch

• Kenya boasts over 53 million mobile subscriptions right now.
• Internet users have hit more than 42 million nationwide.
• The mobile money ecosystem is globally recognized as elite.
• ICT Secretary William Kabogo Gitau led the government pitch.

Where EU money has already landed

• The EU committed over €430 million since 2021 for digital transformation.
• Giga programme connected over 400 schools to the internet.
• Funds also boosted TVET and e-government systems.
• Digital public infrastructure got a serious upgrade.

Kenya’s own digital rollout progress

• Over 1.9 million young people trained in digital skills since 2022.
• More than 300,000 digital jobs created through Ajira and Jitume.
• Nearly 24,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure completed.
• A total of 1,450 digital hubs are now established nationwide.

What’s next for the partnership

• The National AI Strategy launched in 2025 to lead the continent.
• Investment is sought in connectivity, AI, and IT-enabled services.
• EU Ambassador Henriette Geiger attended the tech forum.
• The focus is turning diplomacy into tangible commercial deals.