The development of information and communication technologies is becoming fundamental to all trade, online marketing is now booming on the African continent. To make the most of digital commerce, Kenya launched its national e-commerce strategy on Wednesday December 13. This initiative comes at a time when start-ups operating in the sector are multiplying, highlighting an urgent need to define a legal framework.
Kenyan authorities launched their national e-commerce strategy on December 13 2023. The aim of this initiative is to boost domestic and cross-border trade, and enable local players to meet the needs of the international market. According to the executive, this strategy is part of a series of actions aimed at making Kenya a leading technology hub in the East African sub-region , and on the continent in general.
« It’s clear that the e-commerce strategy aims to unlock Kenya’s e-commerce potential, while addressing the country’s e-commerce challenges. If this strategy is carried out well, e-commerce will greatly accelerate economic and social development through economic diversification, job creation and increasing the country’s trade rate ».
Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for Information and Digital Economy – Kenya
In East Africa, Kenya leads the way, with a digital economy contributing a substantial 7.7% to GDP. The implementation of Kenya’s national e-commerce strategy, according to Rebecca Miano, Kenya’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, is in line with the authorities’ commitment to empowering local businesses and fostering economic growth .
« To stimulate domestic and international trade through trade in improved products, and will enable Kenyan producers to meet the expectations of international markets via adequate platforms and this will be favorable to this expectation. And this will solve the persistent problem of trade deficit ».
Rebecca Miano, Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry – Kenya
The strategy includes initiatives to develop the digital skills of Kenya’s workforce and entrepreneurs,as well as to improve Internet connectivity and e-commerce infrastructure across the country.
