On behalf of the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), I extend a warm welcome to the 18th edition of the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (Kenya IGF). Today marks a significant moment as we convene the Kenya IGF, a key event within the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS) week here in Nairobi.
First, let me say something about KICTANet. We are a multistakeholder think tank for ICT policy and regulation. Our network acts as a catalyst for reform in the ICT sector, guided by four core pillars: policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and research. Our mission is to promote an enabling environment in the ICT sector that is robust, open, accessible, and rights-based through multistakeholderism.
The Kenya Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an open and inclusive multi-stakeholder forum for discussing public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance, such as its sustainability, robustness, security, stability, and development. The purpose of the IGF is to maximise the opportunity for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, share best practices, identify emerging issues, and contribute to capacity building for Internet governance. Outcomes of the Kenya IGF feed into regional and global IGF discussions.
This year, we are proud to host the Kenya IGF as a key event within the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS). KICTANet is hosting this week-long summit to bring together diverse stakeholders from across Africa to promote the harmonisation of tech policies across the continent.
The theme for this 18th edition of the Kenya IGF is ‘Tech for human development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance’. This theme is deeply aligned with the spirit of the Kenyan constitution, which places public participation at the centre of Kenyan values. It allows us to explore critical areas like championing home-grown solutions, creating an ecosystem for AI and emerging technologies, bridging digital access gaps, and harmonising tech policies for inclusive growth.
The IGFs and AfTPS are essential spaces where these critical conversations happen. The collaborative “multistakeholder” model is key to the internet’s continued growth and success and underpins effective Internet governance by enabling diverse groups to co-create policy frameworks that balance economic growth with human rights protections. This forum today is an opportunity for us to reflect on the future – the unimagined – and how well prepared we are for it.
The AfTPS week features a range of events designed to facilitate deep dives into specific policy issues and build capacity across stakeholders. Here is a list of events convened as part of the AfTPS:
- Remote Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG) – Online Learning
- UK Digital Access Program (DAP), Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Workshop
- Remote Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG) – Industry Events
- SM4P (Phase II) and KenSafe Training Workshop on Emerging Challenges to Regulation of Freedom of Expression online
- Physical Gender Workshop on Strategic Use of Technology for Advocacy
- 6th Children IGF
- Gig Economy – Stakeholder Roundtable
- Donor Roundtable to dialogue on the changing geo political happens and the future of digital rights funding.
- Africa Tech Policy Summit Youth Day, including: Gen Z conversation with ODPC on Data Privacy & Public Interest (#inject #kusalimiana #was it a constitutional moment?), and the Kenya Youth IGF/East Africa Youth IGF
- Advocacy Engagement on Digital Rights in Kenya and the UPR
- East Africa IGF 2025
- KenSafeSpaces/KICTANet Policy Hackathon
And of course, today we are at the Kenya Internet Governance Forum 2025.
The overall aim of the Africa Tech Policy Summit, and the Kenya IGF within it, is to generate actionable recommendations for harmonising tech policies across Africa, foster partnerships, and identify pathways for supporting innovation and inclusive digital transformation. Key outputs from this forum will contribute significantly to regional and global discussions.
We wish to express our gratitude to all of you for being here and for your commitment to shaping Kenya’s digital future. Your time and contributions are invaluable. We also extend sincere thanks to our sponsors and partners for their crucial support in making this event possible.
Our sincere thanks go to:
UK government (Digital Access Programme)
GIZ (Digital Transformation Centre)
Meta Platforms Inc
Safaricom
APC
Communications Authority
CIPESA
ICANN
Mzalendo
Media Council of Kenya
KENIC
TESPOK
Paradigm Initiative
IGFSA
EU KensafeSpaces and CADE projects
Internet Society Foundation
Belva digital
Syokinet our connectivity partner.
We look forward to honest, stimulating conversations that will capture ideas to guide us towards a future where we achieve ‘Tech for human development: Policy, Innovation and Inclusive Governance’.
Karibuni!
