EU launches digital economy package to support Kenya’s technological transition
The EU’s Digital Economy Package for Kenya aims to increase digital connectivity, provide digital skills support, and ensure open and inclusive digital governance. In collaboration with Germany, the EU is also supporting the creation of a green digital innovation hub.
The European Union (EU) has launched its Digital Economy Package for Kenya as part of its Global Gateway investment strategy. The package, launched by European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, aims to support Kenya’s technological transition by expanding connectivity in schools, providing skills training for students, and establishing a green digital innovation hub.
The Digital Economy Package reflects the EU’s strong commitment to Kenya’s technological transition by expanding school connectivity, providing skills training, and establishing a green digital innovation hub. It is part of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, which aims to deliver trusted and sustainable connections to partner countries.
One of the key deliverables of the Digital Package is the Last Mile Digital Connections to Underserved Areas program. This program aims to reduce the digital gap by providing internet access to up to 1,300 schools in underserved areas of Kenya, such as arid and semi-arid lands (ASALS). The EU will grant €9.8 million to finance the infrastructure and development of skills and digital educational services for schools across 47 counties, benefiting over 219,000 children.
In addition to the Last Mile program, the EU announced €9.9 million of Team Europe support for the digitalization of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Centers across Kenya. This support will be leveraged with funds from the German and French Development Finance Institutions and the Government of Kenya to reinforce digital reform in the TVET sector.
The Digital Package will be implemented through the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Human-Centered Digitalization in Kenya. Team Europe consists of the EU, EU Member States, their implementing agencies, and public development banks. The expected contributions to the TEI amount to €430 million, and partners include Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Slovakia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria, the European Investment Bank, AFD, FMO, FinFund, and KfW.
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