RUSHA, Tanzania, September 23/APO Group: The East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Eastern African countries implementing the World Bank-supported digital transformation programmes convened in Nairobi to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate digital integration across the region.
The three-day Regional Coordination Workshop on Accelerating Regional Digital Integration and Connectivity Across Eastern Africa, taking place from September 22–24, brings together representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, alongside EAC, IGAD and the World Bank.
The participating countries are implementing World Bank-funded national digital integration and connectivity projects under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and related programmes, while EAC and IGAD are implementing complementary regional initiatives aimed at strengthening cross-border digital connectivity, policy harmonisation and regional digital integration.
Although Kenya is not a direct national beneficiary of EARDIP, regional activities supported through the World Bank-funded Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) are closely aligned with EARDIP objectives, making Kenya an important partner in advancing the region’s digital transformation agenda.
The workshop comes at a critical time as countries across Eastern Africa continue to make significant investments in broadband infrastructure, digital public services, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and digital economy development. The meeting provides an opportunity to accelerate implementation, address common challenges and maximise the impact of regional investments.
Opening the workshop, participants emphasised the need for the region to move beyond fragmented national approaches and adopt coordinated regional solutions that deliver seamless connectivity, interoperable digital services and trusted digital ecosystems across borders.
Discussions highlighted 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.
The workshop focuses on five strategic areas that are critical to advancing regional digital integration: enhancing connectivity, expanding digital public infrastructure and digital services, strengthening regional cybersecurity cooperation, promoting cross-border digital trade, and deepening coordination among participating countries and regional institutions. Collectively, these priorities seek to address implementation bottlenecks, improve interoperability and create the foundations for a secure, inclusive and connected regional digital economy.
The workshop is also reviewing progress achieved through previous regional coordination efforts, including policy and regulatory harmonisation initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms and bilateral agreements that have supported cross-border connectivity and collaboration. The discussions underscore the critical role of continued coordination among EAC, IGAD, national project implementers and development partners in accelerating implementation, strengthening regional integration and maximising development impact across Eastern Africa.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to contribute to a more connected Eastern Africa where citizens, businesses and governments can access secure digital services, participate in regional markets and benefit from expanded opportunities in the digital economy. By strengthening coordination between national and regional initiatives, the region is laying the groundwork for a seamless digital future that drives innovation, investment, trade and inclusive economic growth.
