ESTDEV Opens Project Management Unit in Kenya

ESTDEV Kenya will manage a 2.4 million euro international project with the European Union and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). As part of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Human-Centered Digitalisation, the project promotes Kenya’s digitalisation and the creation of an open and inclusive digital society.

“Although geographically distant, Kenya and Estonia share a common way of thinking that innovation must be put at the service of people — to provide opportunities for development, reduce inequality, and raise the standard of living, especially with young people, women and girls in mind,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a video greeting.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the EU delegation to Kenya, and GIZ to have warmly welcomed Estonia, and ESTDEV, as a part of the team in Kenya,” he added.

Andrea Kivi, acting CEO of ESTDEV, spoke at the opening, saying that as Estonia and Kenya begin this new chapter in development cooperation, they will continue to adhere to the principles of equal partnership, mutual respect and transparency. “We believe that by working together, we can successfully promote Kenya’s digital ecosystem, which opens opportunities for growth, prosperity and social well-being to all members of society,” said Kivi.

Though ESTDEV may be taking the lead, it is a multilateral project with partners in Europe and Kenya who will cooperate to develop Kenya’s digital society.

“When you read the local media talking about digital transformation, it is said that Kenya is having the Estonian way. I believe Kenya is having the Kenyan way, but Estonia has proved that they can inspire, and that they have really inspired Kenya in finding their own way,“ said Alexandre Baron, Head of Section for Governance and Macroeconomics, European Union Delegation to Kenya, in his opening words.

“Estonia’s pioneering success in digital innovation and e-governance provides a transformative model for Africa. Our unique experience in digitalisation, strong education system and start-up ecosystem put us in a position to co-create and design solutions suitable for the African context and aspirations. By fostering collaboration, Estonia can empower African nations to leapfrog traditional barriers, unlocking the full potential of digital advancements for sustainable development,” said Katrin Winter, ESTDEV’s Regional Head for Africa.

“The newly opened ESTDEV office in Nairobi is important for establishing and deepening long-term and reliable relations and increasing Estonia’s visibility on Team Europe projects in Kenya, ” commented Kairi Isop-Saar, Director General, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Kenya’s digital transformation is ESTDEV’s largest foreign-funded project in Africa to date

The cooperation agreement signed by ESTDEV and GIZ in May follows Team Europe’s framework for implementing European initiatives through the Digital Transformation Centre in Kenya. The project’s total cost is 2.4 million euros, of which Estonia has contributed 300,000 and Germany 2.1 million.

“For ESTDEV, this is the largest e-service implementation project in Africa. To make this a success, we are working closely with Kenyan government agencies, the European Union delegation in Kenya, GIZ and the Estonian Information Technology and Telecommunications Union,” Andres Ääremaa, ESTDEV’s Programme Manager for Digital Transformation.

“ESTDEV is responsible for managing the entire 2.4 million. NGOs, experts, and private and public sector entities in Estonia will have the opportunity to participate in this project through public tenders. Not only will this increase Estonia’s profile as a development cooperation partner in Kenya, but it will also boost our reputation internationally as a digital nation, which will benefit our economy in the long run,” explained Ääremaa.

A tender is underway for Estonian companies to create a citizen-centric e-governance interoperability framework (X-tee) in Kenya. This will support the Kenyan public sector as they create a citizen-centric e-service by introducing good e-governance practices and building the public sector’s digital skills.

ESTDEV currently has nine ongoing projects in Kenya that support, among other things, the deployment of e-learning solutions, digital literacy, development of clean digital technologies, start-up ecosystem, and the establishment of national registers.

The project activities are carried out as part of a project financed by GIZ commissioned by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and cofinanced by Germany and the EU.

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