KENYA is seeking to capture a bigger share of the rapidly expanding global digital trade market, with the government positioning technology, digital payments and cross-border e-commerce as key drivers.
This, as the country’s digital economy is projected to contribute Sh662 billion to GDP by 2028.
Investment, Trade and Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui said Kenya has the ability to emerge as a leading digital trade hub in Africa, but must address infrastructure, logistics, financing and regulatory barriers.
Speaking on Tuesday during a high-level workshop on advancing digital trade in Kenya, organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Kinyanjui said Kenya must expand its participation.
The global digital trade accounted for about 25 per cent of global trade in goods and services in 2025, with the market valued at $8.75 trillion.
“This demonstrates the scale of the opportunity before us,” Kinyanjui said.
The CS said Kenya's focus should be on ensuring that local businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), can participate in regional and international digital markets.
He said digital commerce was transforming the ability of small businesses to reach customers beyond their traditional local markets, receive payments electronically and access information on prices and market opportunities in real time.
“Kenya has the technology, entrepreneurial culture and regional position to become a leading digital trade hub in Africa. Our task is to turn that potential into real economic opportunity,” he said.
The government has identified the Kenya National E-Commerce Strategy, launched in 2023, as a key framework for expanding digital commerce and strengthening cross-border trade.
Kenya is also participating in regional and international initiatives, including the World Trade Organisation Trade Facilitation Agreement, East African Community digital trade initiatives and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.
AfCFTA alone offers Kenyan businesses access to a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people.
“Digital trade gives us the opportunity to make this process faster, cheaper and more accessible,” he said.
Kenya's established digital payments ecosystem, including mobile money platforms, is also expected to support the expansion of digital commerce.
Kinyanjui said the government will continue investing in digital infrastructure and closing the urban-rural connectivity gap, while strengthening digital skills among MSMEs, women and young people.
He also identified access to finance as another area where digital trade could transform small businesses.
Digital transactions can generate records of sales, payments and business activity, potentially giving financial institutions better information to assess the performance and creditworthiness of small enterprises.
Kinyanjui, however, warned that digital expansion must be accompanied by stronger cybersecurity, consumer protection and data privacy measures.
“Digital trade depends on trust. Businesses must know that transactions are secure, consumers must be protected, and investors must operate within clear and predictable rules,” he said.
He said improvements in customs, logistics, transport and trade facilitation were equally important because online orders would have little value if goods could not move efficiently across borders.
