Kenya has taken a decisive step forward in reshaping its digital economy with the unveiling of the Draft National e-Commerce Policy 2025.
The State Department for Trade, working in collaboration with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) and the Attorney General’s office, concluded a two-day technical workshop to refine the policy.
The workshop incorporated feedback from stakeholders across the digital trade ecosystem, reflecting the government’s commitment to building a coordinated framework for e-commerce growth.
Kenya, being the third-largest e-commerce market in Africa, has a digital economy that contributes approximately 7.8% to GDP.
Despite this impressive growth, the sector remains constrained by fragmented regulatory frameworks, infrastructure disparities, limited digital inclusion, weak coordination among implementing agencies and growing concerns around cybersecurity and consumer trust.
The new policy seeks to address these challenges head-on, offering a roadmap for more integrated and resilient digital trade environment.
The Draft National e-Commerce Policy it emphasizes on inclusivity, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)., women and youth who are identified as key beneficiaries. These groups often face barriers in accessing financing, logistics and digital literacy, yet they represent the backbone of Kenya’s entrepreneurial spirit.
By lowering these barriers, the policy aims to demonstrate digital trade and ensure that opportunities are not limited to large corporations but extend to everyday innovators and creators.
The policy will also promote the integration of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), into Kenya’s digital trade ecosystem, while promoting climate resilience and sustainability across digital value chains.