Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Dr Margaret Ndung'u and other top UN. and UNESCO officials during the launch of DigiKen in Nairobi on October 7, 2024
Kenyans are set to reap big from the digital spaces after the launch of Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen). It was officially launched on October 7, 2024 with Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Dr Margaret Ndung’u as the chief guest.
DigiKen is a transformative 36-month initiative led by the UN and a consortium of partners. Its primary goal is to support the development of homegrown digital platforms that can contribute to Kenya’s sustainable social and economic development, particularly benefiting vulnerable groups like women, youth, and communities in arid and semi-arid regions as well as urban informal settlements.
Why is the digital platform economy so important?
Globally, the digital platform economy is growing rapidly, and it is estimated that by 2030, digital platforms and networks will mediate over 30% of global economic activity—roughly US$ 60 trillion. Platforms like Amazon, M-PESA, Uber, and Facebook are playing an increasingly critical role in social, economic, and political processes. DigiKen seeks to tap into this potential to foster inclusive growth in Kenya.
What are the main objectives of the DigiKen initiative?
DigiKen has several ambitious goals:
- The programme will support 150 Kenyan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing financing to develop digital platform businesses.
- It will provide capacity-building opportunities for over 20,000 government officials to lead Kenya’s digital transformation.
- It will establish 15 Digital Innovation Hubs to deliver training in areas like digital skills, media literacy, and sustainable AI technologies.
By 2027, it aims to create approximately 4,500 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs. It plans to impact over two million Kenyan users of digital platforms.
How will DigiKen contribute to Kenya’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
The programme aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Kenya, and its primary goal is to fast-track Kenya’s progress toward achieving its SDGs. DigiKen will expand partnerships across the public and private sectors, strengthening Kenya’s digital ecosystem and ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach the most underserved communities.
Who are the key players involved in DigiKen?
DigiKen is led by the UN Resident Coordinator and implemented by a consortium of UN agencies, including UNESCO as the lead agency, UNCDF, UN Women, and UNEP, alongside the Kenya Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy. Key partners include Team Europe, in particular the GIZ Digital Transformation Center Kenya and the Estonian Centre for International Development.
What specific support will DigiKen provide to Kenyan businesses and government officials?
DigiKen will support 150 Kenyan MSMEs in accessing new financial opportunities to develop local digital platforms. It will also train over 20,000 government officials and civil servants to lead inclusive and sustainable digital transformations while ensuring the protection of human rights in digital spaces.
What kind of training will the Digital Innovation Hubs offer?
The 15 Digital Innovation Hubs will offer training on various topics, including Media and Information Literacy, digital skills development, digital platform entrepreneurship, and the use of sustainable AI technologies. The aim is to empower communities, especially those at risk of being left behind in the digital revolution.
What are the expected long-term impacts of DigiKen?
DigiKen aims to foster a robust, homegrown digital platforms ecosystem that drives Kenya’s sustainable development. By 2027, it hopes to have a lasting impact on job creation, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and equitable access to digital tools and services, transforming both Kenya’s economy and the lives of its most vulnerable populations.
What are the key objectives of the launch event?
The launch event has three main objectives:
- Officially introduce the Joint Programme and its overarching goals.
- Consolidate partnerships and establish cooperation frameworks between key stakeholders.
- Engage stakeholders in developing a detailed work plan for the next 36 months, breaking it down into short-term (3 months), medium-term (9 months), and long-term (21 months) phases of implementation.
During the launch, speakers stressed the need to have marginalized communities be part of the growth of the digital space.
“Today marks an important milestone in the continued partnership between the European Union, the UN, and the government of Kenya. We don’t see this as just a project but a shared vision, for a digital future, not only in Kenya but also beyond,” remarked UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson.
“This is a program that has a major opportunity to contribute to job creation, digital equitability, and sustainable access and services with a potential to transform Kenya,” added Jackson.
“This partnership is a very important milestone that is also a requirement for the full implementation of our economic partnership agreement. The project embodies the human-centric vision lead, that unites the strength of multiple agencies to support the growth of Kenya’s digital platform,” said EU Ambassador to Kenya Henrietta Geiger.
“The project will build on UNESCO’s social media for peace project, which has been enhancing the resilience of Kenyan citizens to harmful online content and safeguarding freedom of expression on digital platforms. This project will emphasize sustainability because we are very serious about addressing the challenges around access to and safety within digital platforms,” added Geiger.
DigiKen hopes to expand partnerships across the public and private sectors with an overreaching goal to overall impact over 2 million Kenyans by 2027.
“The EU is moving very determinedly into the digital age. But we are also seeking out active partnerships with like-minded Partners who place the well-being and the rights of the citizens at the center of digital transformation at the global and national levels,” Geiger added.
