Kenya gears up for major EU Business Forum as digital economy takes center stage
Date: 2025-04-11
Kenya is set to host the highly anticipated EU-Kenya Business Forum on May 12 and 13, a pivotal event aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Kenyan businesses and their European counterparts. The forum comes at a time when Kenya is aggressively pushing its digital transformation agenda to position itself as a regional hub for innovation and technology-driven commerce.
Cabinet
Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, William
Kabogo, emphasized the importance of leveraging digital platforms to enhance
Business-to-Business (B2B) interactions. "This forum presents a golden
opportunity for Kenyan businesses to connect, collaborate, and capitalize on
the vast opportunities within the EU market," Kabogo stated during a
press briefing attended by several European ambassadors.
The event
builds on the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into effect
in July 2023, further solidifying the long-standing relationship between Kenya
and the European Union. Over 500 EU businesses have already expressed interest
in participating, signaling strong confidence in Kenya’s growing economy and
digital potential.
Ambassadors
from France, Romania, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany joined CS Kabogo in
rallying support for the forum. Notably, Romania announced eight scholarships
in cybersecurity and digital skills training, underscoring the collaborative
spirit between Kenya and its European partners.
Kabogo
highlighted Kenya’s ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, including
the expansion of fiber networks and the establishment of digital hubs
nationwide. "We are committed to equipping our citizens with the skills
needed to thrive in the digital economy," he said. The government’s
digital skilling program aims to empower Kenyans to tap into global
opportunities, particularly in tech-driven sectors.
The EU-Kenya Business Forum is expected to catalyze new partnerships, particularly in areas like fintech, e-commerce, and green technology.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
