Digital Transformation Center Kenya promotes digital transformation

Context

Kenya is known for its digital affinity. In Africa, Kenya is considered a frontrunner in the use of smartphones and internet access. A large network of entrepreneurs, start-ups and innovation hubs are fuelling a rapid growth in the country's digital economy, creating hopes for new sustainable jobs.

At the same time, many people lack the necessary digital skills. The growth in digitalisation is accompanied by an increasing risk of cyber attacks in the country. There is also a need to fill regulatory gaps to promote innovation and protect the privacy and security of internet users.

Objective

Kenya has a sustainable and human-centred digital economy and society.

Approach

The Digital Transformation Center promotes the strengthening of the Kenyan digital economy by focussing on measures to support the local digital ecosystem.

• It offers (further) training opportunities in digital skills and assists small and medium-sized companies with their digital and green transformation.
• The Digital Transformation Center promotes data-driven value creation in the country as well as more and better jobs in the platform economy, otherwise known as the gig economy.
• It identifies applications for emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), which can be used for socio-economic benefit.
• It raises awareness amongst citizens about their right to privacy, and assists data processing organisations to implement successful data protection to increase consumer trust in digital products and services.
• The project also works on digitalising public services to be user-centric, inclusive and transparent.

Across its activities, the Digital Transformation Center attempts to bridge digital divides, so that young and old, women and men, rural and urban populations, persons with and without disabilities, etc. can equally benefit from the Internet.

Last update: October 2023