A three-day workshop on accelerating regional digital integration and connectivity has commenced in Nairobi, bringing together representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. The Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), funded by the World Bank, aims to expand affordable regional broadband connectivity while strengthening the policy environment for cross-border digital services, data flows, and digital trade. This initiative seeks to link national digital transformation projects and remove cross-border barriers to connectivity, digital services, and trade.
The participating countries are implementing World Bank-funded digital integration and connectivity projects under EARDIP and related programs. At the regional level, the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are pursuing complementary initiatives to strengthen cross-border connectivity, harmonize policies, and deepen digital integration. These efforts focus on aligning national investments and policies in broadband connectivity, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cross-border digital trade.
Discussions during the workshop are centered on improving the interoperability of digital systems, strengthening cybersecurity cooperation, and expanding access to digital public services across borders. The importance of aligning investments and policies to accelerate cross-border broadband connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, expand digital public infrastructure and services, and unlock opportunities for cross-border digital trade and e-commerce has been highlighted.
Kenya is participating in the regional initiative through activities supported under the World Bank-funded Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP), which is aligned with EARDIP's regional objectives. The EARDIP framework seeks to strengthen three interconnected markets, including regional connectivity, cross-border data exchange, and online markets that support digital services and e-commerce.
The workshop is also reviewing previous efforts to harmonize policies and regulations, share technical knowledge, and establish bilateral arrangements to support cross-border connectivity. This coordination comes as Eastern African countries expand investment in broadband infrastructure and digital public services, creating a need for national projects to work together across borders.
The EARDIP initiative is designed to support Eastern African countries in achieving their digital transformation goals. By aligning investments and policies, participating countries aim to accelerate cross-border broadband connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, and expand digital public infrastructure and services. This, in turn, is expected to unlock opportunities for cross-border digital trade and e-commerce.
The outcome of the workshop is expected to contribute to the growth of digital economies in Eastern African countries. By working together, participating countries can address common challenges and opportunities in the digital sector, ultimately enhancing regional connectivity, digital services, and trade.
Key points
- Eastern African countries are uniting to boost digital connectivity through the EARDIP initiative.
- The initiative aims to expand affordable regional broadband connectivity while strengthening the policy environment for cross-border digital services.
- Participating countries include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan.
