A meeting of regional intergovernmental organisation the East African Community (EAC), along with East African trade bloc the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Eastern African countries implementing World Bank-supported digital transformation programmes has convened in Nairobi.
The aim of the meeting is to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate digital integration across the region.
The three-day Regional Coordination Workshop on Accelerating Regional Digital Integration and Connectivity Across Eastern Africa, taking place this week from 22 to 24 September 2026, brings together representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, alongside EAC, IGAD and the World Bank.
The participating countries are implementing World Bank-funded national digital integration and connectivity projects under the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and related programmes, while EAC and IGAD are implementing complementary regional initiatives aimed at strengthening cross-border digital connectivity, policy harmonisation and regional digital integration.
Although Kenya is not a direct national beneficiary of EARDIP, regional activities supported through the World Bank-funded Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project (KDEAP) are closely aligned with EARDIP objectives.
EAC says that the workshop comes at a critical time as countries across Eastern Africa continue to make significant investments in broadband infrastructure, digital public services, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and digital economy development.
The meeting provides an opportunity to accelerate implementation, address common challenges and maximise the impact of regional investments.
Participants have emphasised the need for the region to move beyond fragmented national approaches and adopt coordinated regional solutions that deliver seamless connectivity, interoperable digital services and trusted digital ecosystems across borders.
Discussions have highlighted the importance of aligning investments and policies to accelerate cross-border broadband connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, expand digital public infrastructure and services, and unlock opportunities for cross-border digital trade and e-commerce. There has also been a focus on deepening coordination among participating countries and regional institutions.
The workshop is also reviewing progress achieved through previous regional coordination efforts.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to contribute to a more connected Eastern Africa where citizens, businesses and governments can access secure digital services, participate in regional markets and benefit from expanded opportunities in the digital economy.
This is not the only recent example of EAC attempts to improve cross-border cooperations in telecoms. Earlier this year, the EAC began a series of regional engagements aimed at advancing the development of a harmonised Regional Mobile Roaming Framework.
