Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications opens TikTok Safer Internet Summit 2026
Date: 2026-03-10
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy,
William Kabogo Gitau, has officially opened the TikTok Safer Internet Summit
2026, bringing together policymakers, regulators, technology leaders, civil
society organisations and digital creators from across Africa to discuss the
future of digital innovation and online safety.
Speaking
at the summit, Kabogo highlighted the growing role of social media platforms
such as TikTok in supporting digital creativity, innovation and economic
opportunities while enabling citizens to actively participate in the digital
economy.
He
noted that Kenya’s digital economy has become a central pillar of national
development, supported by government initiatives aimed at expanding digital
infrastructure and equipping young people with the skills required to thrive in
a modern, technology-driven economy.
Kabogo
also pointed to the rapid growth of the digital creator economy, which he said
is creating new opportunities for expression, entrepreneurship and income
generation across the country.
However,
he cautioned that the expansion of the digital ecosystem must be accompanied by
stronger safeguards to address emerging challenges such as misinformation,
online scams, harmful content affecting minors, cybercrime and the protection
of personal data.
According
to the Cabinet Secretary, the government is strengthening oversight measures,
including improved user protection systems, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks,
age verification mechanisms and greater public awareness of data privacy and
digital literacy.
He
also stressed that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are
increasingly shaping the digital landscape, making it necessary to balance
innovation with trust, transparency and responsible governance.
Among
the dignitaries present at the event were Kenny Morolong, Deputy Minister in
The Presidency of South Africa, and Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology
for the Republic of Kenya, alongside other industry leaders and stakeholders.
Kabogo
reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a digital environment that
empowers creators, supports innovation and unlocks the full potential of
Africa’s digital future.
