Grace Ashiru
Kenya has secured a fresh round of EU-backed funding to push forward its digital agenda, following talks in Brussels between President William Ruto and European officials. Under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership, the country will get €102 million (roughly KSh 15.3 billion) earmarked for expanding connectivity, supporting innovation, and creating opportunities for young people and businesses. A separate €37 million has also been committed toward extending the Blue Raman submarine cable, a project that will link Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania and is expected to lower regional bandwidth costs.
Beyond the headline figures, the EU package breaks down into several targeted allocations: about €17 million to upgrade the Northern Corridor trade route, €15 million for expanding the national fibre-optic network, €12 million to digitize land registration systems, €10 million to strengthen Kenya’s Digital Transformation Centre, and €16 million to support transitioning refugee camps into integrated communities. The two sides also discussed deeper cooperation on AI, digital identity, and a data adequacy arrangement that could ease digital trade between Kenya and Europe.
Officials say the funding should reinforce Kenya’s standing as East Africa’s leading digital hub and a top destination for business process outsourcing, building on a tech sector already known for its mobile money penetration and fintech growth.
