Kenya, UK exploring new digital trading pact

By Dumisani Sigogo

Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.

As Kenya ramps up efforts to develop its ICT industry, the East African country has agreed to explore a new digital trading agreement with the United Kingdom (UK), with the goal of doubling trade by 2030 in areas such as financial services, digital and technology, and defence and security.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at London's Guildhall during the Africa Debate by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.

In a joint statement, the two said: "The new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025-2030 will provide a comprehensive framework to progress our shared objectives, strengthen the bilateral relationship, and deliver growth for both our countries.

“The Partnership will focus on areas of shared interest and strength, including green growth, climate and nature, science and technology, and security and stability.

“We will be laser-focussed on delivery - creating jobs, enhancing links between our academics, innovators and scientists, and protecting the environment, nature and our people.”

This comes as Kenya’s tech sector is projected to reach £11.5 billion by 2032 and a digital trade agreement will open up opportunities in the sector for the UK.

Kenya has been stepping up efforts to make the East African economic powerhouse an ICT innovation hub to unlock the digital economy potential.

The country has robust measures to ensure the growth of the digital economy.

Kenya is also developing the Konza Technopolis project, a large technology hub planned to be built 64 km south of Nairobi. The government is marketing the project as the pillar of its development plan, Kenya Vision 2030