Kenya and U.S. Discuss Draft Data Governance Policy to Strengthen Digital Economy

Kenya has stepped up efforts to strengthen its digital governance framework following high-level discussions on the country’s Draft Data Governance Policy (2026) with officials from the United States Embassy.

The meeting, held in Nairobi on July 9, was hosted by Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui. It brought together representatives from the U.S. Embassy, ICT Security Directorate Secretary Emmanuel Kata, and Data Protection Commissioner Immaculate Kassait to discuss measures aimed at enhancing Kenya’s data governance landscape.

Discussions focused on strengthening data governance, facilitating secure cross-border data flows, and identifying opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation between Kenya and the United States in the digital sector.

According to the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy,  Tanui said aligning Kenya’s national data governance framework with international best practices would reinforce the country’s standing as a trusted digital economy and one of Africa’s leading technology and innovation hubs.

The meeting also highlighted the need to build a secure and trusted digital ecosystem capable of supporting innovation, attracting investment, and enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. Officials noted that robust data governance will play a key role in advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda while fostering confidence among businesses, investors and citizens.