“Unveiling a Mind-Boggling Move: EU’s Launch of the Digital Transformation Centre to Propel Kenya’s Journey towards an Explosive Human-Centered Digital Economy”

Can you comprehend the extraordinary news of the launch of the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) in Kenya? The European Union, Estonia, and Germany have joined forces to create this centre, which will support Kenya’s transition towards a digital economy that is centered on humans. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GiZ) will act as the implementation partner, working alongside the Government of Kenya. In attendance at the launch were Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, as well as the chairpersons of the National Assembly and Senate ICT Committees.

Considered a Silicon Savannah, Kenya’s digital advancement will lead the country’s socio-economic development. The DTC has been created to ensure that all Kenyans can participate equally in the digital economy and that technology startups work in a fair environment. The key focus is on Human-Centred Digitalisation, with technical assistance aimed at delivering a digital transition that protects people’s rights and meets their needs.

This 4 billion KES initiative aligns with the Kenya Digital Master Plan 2022 – 2023 and aims to champion open and inclusive digital government, data protection, and trust, a fair, competitive, and ethical digital economy, green digital transition, and youth employment through digital skills. During the launch, Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya highlighted that the project is founded on values such as openness, transparency, trust, and safety to create a digital future that benefits all Kenyans. German Ambassador Sebastian Groth reiterated this message, stating that the centre can decrease bias and increase women’s participation in the tech industry while developing a safer internet.

GiZ will be responsible for implementing this three-year initiative, working alongside Estonian Centre for International Development (EstDev). The DTC will offer extensive training, workshops, and advisory services to partners such as the Ministry of Information, the ICT Authority, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. The centre will also develop a digital innovation ecosystem that fosters the growth and expansion of a green-digital innovation hub catering to SMEs and entrepreneurs in Kenya.