Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to building a safe, inclusive and trusted digital future, with Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, calling for stronger international cooperation on online safety, artificial intelligence (AI) governance and cybersecurity during the G7+ Digital and Tech Ministerial meetings in Paris, France.
Speaking at a series of high-level discussions held ahead of the G7 Digital Ministers’ Meeting, Kabogo said the protection of children online should be treated as a public policy responsibility rather than merely a technological challenge.
He emphasized that safeguarding children in digital spaces requires coordinated efforts involving governments, regulators, educators, technology companies and civil society organizations.
“The protection of children online is not simply a technology question, but a public policy obligation requiring coordinated action across governments, regulators, educators, industry and civil society,” he stated.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that as digital technologies continue to reshape societies and economies worldwide, governments must work together to create safer online environments, particularly for young people who are increasingly exposed to digital platforms from an early age.
During the ministerial discussions, Kenya highlighted the need for a more inclusive global digital governance framework that takes into account the realities of emerging digital societies, particularly in Africa, where internet adoption and online participation continue to grow rapidly.
Kabogo stressed that digital policies and international frameworks should reflect the needs and experiences of developing nations to ensure equitable access to opportunities created by technological advancements.
He noted that as AI systems and digital platforms increasingly influence public discourse, elections, information access and social interactions, governments and international institutions must work together to promote platform accountability, online safety and inclusion of low-resource languages in digital ecosystems.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the future of digital transformation should remain open, safe, trusted and equitable for all citizens regardless of geographical location or economic status.
Kenya also participated in a dedicated G7+ dialogue examining the cybersecurity challenges posed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies.
During the discussions, Kabogo acknowledged the immense potential of AI to drive innovation, economic growth and service delivery. However, he warned that the same technologies are increasingly being exploited by cybercriminals.
He pointed out that AI is lowering barriers for cybercrime, enabling deepfake-related fraud, sophisticated digital scams and malicious cyberattacks on an unprecedented scale.
To address these emerging threats, Kenya called for stronger international cooperation in developing defensive AI capabilities, strengthening trusted digital systems and enhancing real-time cyber threat intelligence sharing among nations.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of building collective resilience between developed and developing countries to protect citizens, businesses and critical digital infrastructure from evolving cyber risks.
During the final G7+ working session, Kabogo highlighted several initiatives being undertaken by Kenya to strengthen digital trust, online safety and sustainable technological development.
Among the key milestones presented were the development of Industry Guidelines on Child Online Protection and the ongoing formulation of a Kenya Online Safety Bill aimed at enhancing safeguards for internet users, particularly vulnerable groups.
He also showcased the National Policy on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), which seeks to strengthen protections for digital workers while positioning Kenya as a competitive destination for global outsourcing services.
Additionally, Kabogo highlighted the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency as part of the government’s broader strategy to improve cyber resilience and protect critical national information infrastructure.
The Cabinet Secretary further outlined Kenya’s ambition to become a leading hub for sustainable digital infrastructure powered by renewable energy, aligning technological growth with environmental sustainability goals.
Kenya used the forum to advocate for stronger international cooperation in combating harmful AI-generated content and protecting children from online exploitation and abuse.
Kabogo said innovation must be accompanied by adequate safeguards to ensure that technological progress benefits society while minimizing risks.
He reiterated Kenya’s readiness to collaborate with global partners in shaping policies that foster trust, safety and inclusivity in the digital age.
“International cooperation remains essential to ensuring that innovation advances alongside safety, trust and opportunity for all,” he said.
The discussions took place under France’s 2026 G7 Presidency, which will culminate in the 52nd G7 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for June 15–17, 2026, in Évian-les-Bains.
The Paris meetings brought together G7 and G7+ ministers, heads of delegation and digital policy leaders from across the world to deliberate on emerging issues in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity and digital transformation.
For Kenya, the engagements provided an opportunity to strengthen international partnerships while showcasing the country’s growing leadership role in shaping the future of digital governance in Africa and beyond.
