Hosted by KICTANet | May 14, 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya
On May 14, 2025, Nairobi’s Edge Conference Centre in South C became the epicenter of Kenya’s digital policy discourse as the 18th Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF) convened under the theme “Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusive Governance.” Organized by the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), this flagship event marked a pivotal moment within the inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS) week (May 12–16, 2025), emphasizing Kenya’s leadership in shaping a rights-based, innovation-driven digital future
A Multi-Stakeholder Convergence
The forum drew over 300 participants from government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the technical community, embodying the IGF’s hallmark multi-stakeholder model. Keynote speakers included Dr. Grace Githaiga (CEO, KICTANet), who underscored the forum’s role in fostering “honest, forward-looking conversations” to balance innovation with equity, and Ali Hussein Kassim (KICTANet Chair), who celebrated Kenya’s 17-year legacy of inclusive internet governance
Key Themes and Policy Dialogues
Aligned with the Kenyan Constitution’s emphasis on public participation and Africa’s digital transformation agenda, the forum structured its discussions around four sub-themes :
Championing Home-Grown Tech Solutions
Safaricom’s Fred Waithaka highlighted M-PESA’s impact on financial inclusion, stressing that “innovation must meet local needs” through cross-sector partnerships .
Breakout sessions explored scaling Kenya’s Digital Public Infrastructure (e.g., e-Citizen, Maisha Namba) while addressing funding gaps for startups outside Nairobi.
AI and Emerging Technologies
A fireside chat on Responsible AI moderated by Ali Hussein Kassim examined ethical frameworks for AI, quantum computing, and IoT, with Konza CEO John Paul Okwiri advocating for policies that align innovation with Kenya’s digital readiness.
Bridging Digital Access Gaps
Martin Mirero (Communications Authority) revealed that while mobile broadband coverage nears 100%, usage remains below 30%, urging a shift from infrastructure to digital literacy and grassroots content creation.
Strategies to expand universal service funds for marginalized groups, including rural communities and persons with disabilities, dominated parallel sessions.
Harmonizing Tech Policies
Discussions emphasized balancing economic growth with human rights, particularly in light of Kenya’s Data Protection Act (2019) and concerns over state surveillance.The need for multistakeholder collaboration to prevent internet fragmentation was underscored, referencing global frameworks like the WSIS+20 review .
Youth and Intergenerational Engagement
KeIGF 2025 integrated voices from younger generations through dedicated platforms:
Kenya Youth IGF facilitated interactive dialogues on digital rights and inclusion, reflecting youth-led advocacy for meaningful participation in policy processes.
Children’s IGF, convened during the AfTPS week, addressed online safety and digital literacy, aligning with regional calls for child protection initiatives like Rwanda’s proposed East African Child Online Protection framework.
Regional and Global Synergies
As a feeder into broader governance ecosystems, KeIGF outcomes directly informed the East Africa IGF (May 15–16, 2025), themed “Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together.” Regional coordinators from Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan highlighted Kenya’s role in harmonizing policies on cybersecurity, AI governance, and digital trade. Kenya’s contributions will further shape the Africa IGF (May 29–31, 2025) in Tanzania and the Global IGF, reinforcing its stance as a bridge between local priorities and global agendas.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
KeIGF 2025 concluded with a rallying cry for collaborative governance and equitable resource allocation. Dr. Githaiga emphasized civil society’s role in “speaking truth to power,” exemplified by advocacy against data bundle expiry and for community networks.The forum’s legacy lies in its actionable takeaways—from policy frameworks for AI to grassroots digital literacy ensuring Kenya’s digital transformation leaves no one behind.
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