Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA): Kenya
USAID, Digital Frontiers Project (2020), 42 pp.
Contains 5 figures, 6 boxes, glossary pp. 34-35, bibliogr. pp. 40-42
"Kenya’s digital ecosystem has significant strengths not yet fully leveraged:
• Political interest in digital technology at national and county level: The Government of Kenya’s
(GoK) digital economy blueprint, ICT Masterplan, and eCitizen (government service platform for
Kenyan citizens and residents) are only a few of many digital initiatives undertaken to transform Kenya
into a thriving middle-income country by 2030. County-level programming such as County Data Desks
have demonstrated great initiative by county leadership in embracing digital tools to ensure a more
transparent and efficient process.
• Relatively strong digital infrastructure: Kenya’s expanding ICT infrastructure and GoK’s pursuit
of innovations driving connectivity (e.g., Google Loon pilots) demonstrates an investment in Kenya’s
inclusive future.
• Strong private sector engagement in digital innovation: From large mobile network operators and
multinational tech companies to startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, Kenya’s rich innovation culture is
an undervalued and underleveraged national resource." (Executive summary, page 3)
• Political interest in digital technology at national and county level: The Government of Kenya’s
(GoK) digital economy blueprint, ICT Masterplan, and eCitizen (government service platform for
Kenyan citizens and residents) are only a few of many digital initiatives undertaken to transform Kenya
into a thriving middle-income country by 2030. County-level programming such as County Data Desks
have demonstrated great initiative by county leadership in embracing digital tools to ensure a more
transparent and efficient process.
• Relatively strong digital infrastructure: Kenya’s expanding ICT infrastructure and GoK’s pursuit
of innovations driving connectivity (e.g., Google Loon pilots) demonstrates an investment in Kenya’s
inclusive future.
• Strong private sector engagement in digital innovation: From large mobile network operators and
multinational tech companies to startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, Kenya’s rich innovation culture is
an undervalued and underleveraged national resource." (Executive summary, page 3)
SECTION I: ABOUT THIS ASSESSMENT, 7
SECTION II: KENYA DECA FINDINGS, 14
Strenghts in Kenya's Digital Ecosystem, 8
Challenges in Kenya's Digital Ecosystem, 16
SECTION III: ECOSYSTEM-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES & RECOMMENDATIONS, 29
Consumer Protections and Cyber Hygiene Safeguards: Promoting Safe and Responsible Citizen Engagement, 29
Deepening Devolution through County-Level Digital Capacity and Leadership, 30
Promoting Digital Inclusion: Expanding Infrastructure, Lowering Data Costs, and Investing in Localized, Accessible Content, 31
Strengthening Kenya’s Silicon Savannah and Mobilizing Private Capital for Stronger Economic Growth, 31
APPENDICES, 34
SECTION II: KENYA DECA FINDINGS, 14
Strenghts in Kenya's Digital Ecosystem, 8
Challenges in Kenya's Digital Ecosystem, 16
SECTION III: ECOSYSTEM-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES & RECOMMENDATIONS, 29
Consumer Protections and Cyber Hygiene Safeguards: Promoting Safe and Responsible Citizen Engagement, 29
Deepening Devolution through County-Level Digital Capacity and Leadership, 30
Promoting Digital Inclusion: Expanding Infrastructure, Lowering Data Costs, and Investing in Localized, Accessible Content, 31
Strengthening Kenya’s Silicon Savannah and Mobilizing Private Capital for Stronger Economic Growth, 31
APPENDICES, 34
