EU and Kenya expand digital partnership with connectivity and data investments
The EU and Kenya are deepening cooperation on AI, digital identity, secure connectivity, and cross-border data flows, supported by new funding for fibre networks, land registration, and digital policy.
The European Union and Kenya have announced new measures to strengthen their digital partnership, including investments in high-speed connectivity, digital public services, and AI.
The commitments were discussed in Brussels during a meeting between European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, €15 million will support the expansion of Kenya’s national fibre-optic network. The project is intended to connect more than 3,000 public offices, schools, health centres, and digital hubs, particularly in underserved areas.
A further €12 million will support the digitalisation of land registration. Digital records are expected to make it easier for households, farmers, and businesses to prove ownership and access services that depend on reliable property information.
The EU will also provide €10 million for Kenya’s Digital Transformation Centre. The centre will support work on AI, digital skills, innovation, and policies intended to encourage digital trade and investment.
The two sides proposed deeper policy cooperation on AI, digital identity, secure connectivity, telecommunications, and digital public infrastructure. Digital public infrastructure refers to shared systems, such as digital identity, payment, and data-exchange services, that governments and businesses can use to deliver online services.
The EU also reported progress in its assessment of whether Kenya provides data protection safeguards comparable to those in the EU. A positive adequacy decision would allow personal data to move from the EU to Kenya without organisations needing additional legal arrangements for each transfer. This could reduce barriers for digital services, outsourcing, research, and cross-border business.
The adequacy dialogue began in May 2024, while the broader EU–Kenya Digital Dialogue was launched in March 2026. The European Commission said it intends to complete the adequacy process as soon as possible.
