Kenya’s digital transformation agenda was in the spotlight this week as the Digital Access Program (DAP) workshop took centre stage ahead of the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS), hosted by KICTANet.
The Digital Access Program (DAP), a strategic initiative to advance digital skills, foster digital inclusion, and develop a sustainable, inclusive digital economy in Kenya, in partnership with KICTANet, hosted a one-day workshop dubbed, “UK Digital Access Program Technical Assistance and Capacity Building of the Ministry of Information Communication and Digital Economy.”
This event served as a platform to update key stakeholders on DAP’s progress, share insights on ongoing developments, and equip the Technical Working Group (TWG) to contribute to future initiatives.
We are hosting the UK Digital Access Program Workshop today in Nairobi as part of the #AfricaTechpolicySummit pre-event to review progress on Kenya’s Digital Skills Curriculum, AI governance, and data strategies key for building a digitally inclusive and empowered nation.… pic.twitter.com/4q3vV1YZOb
— KICTANet (@KICTANet) May 7, 2025
Digital Skills Curriculum: From Access to Empowerment
Ms. Lynette Ringeera, Deputy Director, Capacity Development, ICT Authority highlighted the imminent launch of Kenya’s Digital Skills Curriculum at the Connected Africa Summit in May 2025.
Developed with support from the UK DAP and partners, the curriculum targets 20 million digitally empowered citizens by 2032-a flagship initiative under the Kenya National Digital Master Plan.
“We have the connectivity, we have the access, but there’s something that is lacking in our society, and that’s what many people keep on the capacity building of this space. Have you trained the citizens on how to properly utilize, and make proper use of the Internet?” Ringera emphasised.
The curriculum, structured into foundational, basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, is being implemented through a community-driven, locally relevant approach.
Currently, through the Strengthening Digital Communities Project, over 600,000 citizens have already benefited, with a focus on practical skills for everyday life and economic empowerment.
AI Ecosystem: Governance, Talent, and International Standards
Dr George Musumba (KICTANet) and Sam Wanjau, Research Fellow, African Centre for Technology (ACTS) reported progress in Kenya’s AI ecosystem, driven by global learning exchanges and local stakeholder engagement. Kenya is finalizing its AI Statement of Principles, AI Strategy, AI Code of Practice, and AI Policy to ensure ethical, inclusive, and accountable AI development.
“We are not just drafting policies are shaping the future of Kenya’s digital economy, ensuring that AI serves all Kenyans and positions us as a regional leader in responsible innovation,” Dr. Musumba noted.
The upcoming UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund 2025 will catalyze local innovation and international partnerships.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is set to adopt the ISO/IEC 42001 standard for AI Management Systems, providing a lifecycle-based, risk-managed, and ethical framework for AI deployment.
“The objective, first of all, is to establish trust in AI systems. We want to ensure that threats and risks to AI systems and products are mitigated, using mitigation techniques and methods,” Ms Monica Okoth, the standards officer in charge of ICT and metrology at KEBS explained.
Statutes & Data Governance: Legal Reform for a Digital Age
African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) and Viscar Industrial Capacity Limited (VISCAR) presented the ongoing review of 23 statutes and regulations to close gaps in Kenya’s digital legal framework which predate the rise of AI, cybersecurity threats, and modern data practices.
“We are working on almost ready regulations, and we’ll be looking up to you to support us to progress it up to the committee on delegated legislation in Parliament so that it can be passed… Ultimately, to come up with this brand new overarching legislation that will deal with all the contemporary issues in the industry.”
The review is closely linked to Kenya’s open data governance initiatives and aims to ensure all citizens can safely and confidently participate in the digital economy.
KICA & Open Data Governance: Immediate and Long-Term Reforms
The Communications Authority and Universal Service Advisory Council outlined urgent steps to amend the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA) and update expired regulations.
“If you are not included in the digital transformation… you are largely excluded from the digital economy that we are now seeing,” the CA representative stressed.
Short-term priorities include revising KICA and grant management frameworks, while the long-term vision is a comprehensive, future-ready legal overhaul to address cybersecurity, AI, and emerging technologies.
Workshop Outcomes: A Unified Roadmap for Africa
The DAP workshop, as part of AfTPS, achieved its core objectives:
- Digital Skills Curriculum: Stakeholders gained an updated understanding of progress, launch plans, and the importance of capacity-building for meaningful digital inclusion.
- AI Governance: Kenya’s AI frameworks, standards, and challenge fund were comprehensively reviewed, with clarity on the next steps for responsible AI adoption.
- Statutes & Data Governance: The path forward for reviewing statutes and open data frameworks was clarified, with a commitment to inclusivity and legal modernization.
- KICA Reform: Immediate and long-term steps for KICA and related regulations were agreed upon, ensuring legal frameworks keep pace with technological change.
- Collaboration: The event strengthened partnerships among government, private sector, and development partners, enhancing Kenya’s roadmap for digital transformation.
As Mr. Charles Juma, UK DAP Country Lead & Adviser, British High Commission Nairobi summarised, “We want to ensure that, as Kenyans are getting access, they are empowered digital citizens, able to use technology for economic and social transformation.”
By anchoring the DAP workshop within the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit, Kenya is not only advancing its digital agenda but also setting a continental benchmark for harmonized, inclusive, and future-ready tech policy.
The summit’s outcomes will help shape Africa’s digital future, fostering collaboration and innovation across borders.
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