Eastern Africa Countries, EAC and IGAD Advance Regional Digital Integration in Nairobi

The East African Community (EAC),  the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)  and Eastern African countries implementing World Bank -supported digital transformation programmes have 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, running from 22 to 24 September 2026, brings together representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, as well as the 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. Meanwhile, EAC and IGAD are implementing complementary regional initiatives focused on cross-border digital connectivity, policy harmonisation and regional digital integration.

Kenya is not a direct national beneficiary of EARDIP, but regional activities under the World Bank-funded Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) are aligned with EARDIP objectives, positioning the country as an important partner in the region’s digital transformation efforts.

The workshop comes as Eastern African countries continue investing in broadband infrastructure, digital public services, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and the wider digital economy. The meeting provides a platform for participating countries and institutions to review implementation, address shared challenges and strengthen the impact of regional digital investments.

Participants have emphasised the need to move beyond fragmented national approaches towards coordinated regional solutions that can support seamless connectivity, interoperable digital services and trusted digital ecosystems across borders.

Discussions are focusing on cross-border broadband connectivity, cybersecurity cooperation, digital public infrastructure and services, as well as opportunities for digital trade and e-commerce.

The workshop is centred on five strategic priorities: enhancing connectivity, expanding digital public infrastructure and services, strengthening regional cybersecurity cooperation, promoting cross-border digital trade and deepening coordination among participating countries and regional institutions.

These priorities are intended to address implementation bottlenecks, improve interoperability and support the development of a secure and inclusive regional digital economy.

Participants are also reviewing progress from previous regional coordination efforts, including policy and regulatory harmonisation initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms and bilateral agreements supporting cross-border connectivity and collaboration.

The discussions highlight the continued role of coordination between EAC, IGAD, national project implementers and development partners in advancing digital integration and maximising the development impact of investments across Eastern Africa.