New york: Kenya emerged as a leading voice on the global digital stage at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) Outcome Review High-Level Meeting in New York.
According to Kenya News Agency, the summit, which ran between December 15 and 17, 2025, marked twenty years since governments committed to building an inclusive, people-centred information society and set the direction for global digital cooperation in the coming decade.
Speaking at the high-level meeting, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr Stephen Isaboke, stressed that digital transformation must be anchored on people, not technology alone. ‘WSIS was never just about technology. It was about people, dignity, opportunity, and rights,’ he said, noting that while artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping societies, the fundamental question of who benefits from digital progress remains unresolved.
Drawing from Kenya’s experience, PS Isaboke highlighted how targeted public investment and policy reforms are bridging long-standing digital gaps. PS highlighted the expansion of last-mile broadband connectivity through the Universal Service Fund, along with the rollout of 1,450 public digital hubs and more than 150 privately run innovation hubs nationwide, as evidence of a rapidly growing national digital innovation ecosystem.
‘As we enter the next phase of WSIS in the intelligent age, Kenya is clear: AI must serve development, inclusion, and sustainability, not deepen inequality,’ he told delegates. He also highlighted Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and ongoing investments in digital and AI skills across government and society as key efforts to build national capability and deliver public value.
PS Isaboke led the Kenyan delegation, which included Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale, and Special Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo. Others who were in the PS’s delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, and the Communications Authority of Kenya.
Beyond plenary sessions, Kenya used the WSIS+20 platform to strengthen strategic bilateral engagements. In a high-level meeting with the European Union, discussions centred on expanding cooperation in connectivity, data governance, artificial intelligence, digital identity, and innovation. The EU recognised Kenya as a key regional partner in digital transformation, highlighting its role as a gateway for East and Central Africa, with extensive subsea cable infrastructure and expanding data centre capacity.
The talks explored collaboration on satellite connectivity, including low-earth orbit constellations to serve remote and underserved areas, as well as subsea cable projects linking Africa to Europe. The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to increase funding for the Internet Governance Forum by 30 per cent to boost participation from developing countries.
Kenya’s broader African digital leadership was further showcased at a Nigeria-hosted WSIS+20 side event, where Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, represented by PS Isaboke, called for greater regional cooperation to unlock Africa’s digital potential. He emphasised the need for investments in digital public infrastructure, harmonised policies, and trust-based digital systems that safeguard rights while fostering innovation.
With the successful wrap-up of WSIS+20, Kenya has firmly established itself as a key influencer in global digital policy. As the world navigates an era shaped by data, artificial intelligence, and emerging connectivity technologies, Kenya is poised to work with international and regional partners to ensure that digital transformation is inclusive, equitable, and firmly aligned with sustainable development goals.