By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
The State Department of ICT
and Digital Economy has intensified efforts to position Kenya as a key player
in shaping global ICT standards following high-level discussions with
representatives of the European Union and the Global Partnership for Human-Centric
ICT Standardization (GIST).
The engagement, led by
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui and
Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Steve Isaboke,
focused on strengthening Kenya’s participation in the development of international
standards that will govern emerging digital technologies.
The delegation included
Alberto Simeoni, Manager for European and International Policy at CEN and
CENELEC, Tracy Ada of EU-GIST, Matano Ndaro, Senior Standards Expert at EU-GIST
Kenya, and Elizabeth Museo, Project Assistant at EU-GIST Kenya. Also present
was ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Jesse Maruti.
The discussions built on
commitments made during President William Ruto’s recent visit to Brussels,
where Kenya and the European Union reaffirmed their strategic partnership in
the digital sector and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including digital
trade, trusted data flows, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence,
innovation and digital skills development.
Officials noted that
progress toward the EU-Kenya Data Adequacy Decision and implementation of the
EU-Kenya Digital Dialogue is expected to create new opportunities for
investment, digital trade and cross-border digital services.
Kenya’s participation in the
European Union’s GIST initiative was highlighted as recognition of the
country’s growing leadership in Africa’s digital transformation agenda. The
discussions explored ways to strengthen ICT standardization and ensure that emerging
technologies are guided by internationally recognized, trusted and
human-centric standards.
Key areas of focus included
artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, quantum technologies,
digital identity systems, digital product passports and fibre infrastructure
standards. Participants also examined opportunities to enhance collaboration
among government institutions, regulators, the Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS), industry players and academia.
The meeting emphasized the
importance of participating in the development of international standards and
digital legislation at an early stage rather than adopting them after they have
been finalized. Officials said such engagement would enable Kenya to contribute
African perspectives to global frameworks while ensuring the country’s digital
ecosystem remains competitive and aligned with international best practices.
The discussions also
reviewed broader areas of digital cooperation between Kenya and the European
Union, including support for Kenya’s Open Source Programme Office, business
process outsourcing, digital jobs, cybersecurity initiatives, digital policy
development, digital skills programmes and the advancement of Digital Public
Infrastructure.
