Digital Connectivity: EAC Aims to Overcome Fragmented National Approaches

From September 22 to 24, 2026, East African Community (EAC) member states, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, held a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on cross-border digital connectivity, policy harmonization, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. The goal is to develop interconnected digital infrastructures and compatible services across countries. Participants, including representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, IGAD, and the World Bank, discussed projects funded by the World Bank, particularly through the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP). The EAC aims to improve investment coordination and create a secure, inclusive regional digital environment conducive to cross-border trade, with plans to accelerate digital integration and cooperation among governments, regional institutions, and development partners in the coming days.