Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation agenda through strategic international partnerships, investments in digital infrastructure, research collaboration and responsible governance of emerging technologies.
Speaking in Nairobi during a high-level Africa-Europe digital cooperation meeting held alongside the Africa Forward Summit, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo said the country is determined to position itself as a leading technology and innovation hub in the region.
The meeting brought together delegates, development partners, innovators, researchers and policy leaders from Africa and Europe to deliberate on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and international technological cooperation.
Kabogo said Africa’s digital transformation is already gaining momentum, but emphasized the need for the continent to strengthen its ability to develop trusted infrastructure, support scientific research, nurture digital talent, protect data and actively participate in shaping global technology governance frameworks.
He noted that African nations must work together to ensure the continent is not left behind as emerging technologies continue to redefine economies and societies worldwide.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted Kenya’s ongoing efforts to expand national fibre-optic connectivity, strengthen digital public infrastructure and improve access to online government services. He said these initiatives are aimed at positioning Kenya as a reliable regional hub for data services, cloud computing and innovation-driven investments.
Kabogo also underscored the importance of responsible technology governance, particularly in the era of rapid AI adoption, saying governments must establish systems that promote innovation while safeguarding public trust and data security.
He praised the Africa-Europe Foundation, Digital Africa and other international partners for their collaboration with the Government of Kenya in advancing digital development and strengthening cooperation around emerging technologies.
In a separate engagement earlier in the day, Kabogo joined President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron at the University of Nairobi during the opening of the Africa Forward Summit Business Forum.
The Cabinet Secretary described Kenya’s growing partnership with France in the fields of science, engineering and innovation as a significant milestone in empowering Kenyan youth with modern digital skills and technological infrastructure.
He said the collaboration would help prepare young people to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy while equipping them to shape the future of innovation on the continent.
The summit has attracted stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector and development agencies, with discussions focusing on digital inclusion, innovation ecosystems, AI governance, cybersecurity and investment in future technologies.
Participants expressed optimism that stronger Africa-Europe cooperation would unlock new opportunities for economic growth, skills development and technology-driven transformation across Africa.
