Kenya

Kenya's technology ecosystem is known as "Silicon Savannah". A multitude of IT experts and large tech companies such as Microsoft, Intel, IBM and Google have set up shop there. Over 1,000 start-ups and innovation hubs attract some of the largest investments on the African continent every year and contribute to the rapid growth of Kenya's digital economy.

In November 2023, Germany and Kenya launched the Kenyan-German Digital Dialogue. During a meeting in Berlin, Dr Volker Wissing and Eliud Owalo, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and The Digital Economy, signed a joint declaration of intent, formally establishing the dialogue as a platform for structured cooperation on digital policy and transformation.

Since its inception, the Kenyan-German Digital Dialogue has set off many projects and collaborations. Here are some highlights:

Kenya's open-source ecosystem: opportunities for talent and collaboration

Kenya’s growing developer community and vibrant tech ecosystem offer strong potential for collaboration in open-source software and digital talent development. In June 2025, the German Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA) led a delegation to Kenya under the Kenyan-German Digital Dialogue. The delegation engaged with local innovation hubs, companies and government representatives to explore partnerships in open-source development, talent exchange and digital infrastructure. Through the visit, German open-source companies connected with Kenyan tech organisations, with concrete opportunities for recruitment partnerships, knowledge exchange and investment being highlighted. Strengthening Kenya’s open-source ecosystem supports digital sovereignty, fosters high-quality tech jobs and deepens bilateral cooperation in building open and resilient digital infrastructure.

Unlocking IT outsourcing potential between Kenya and Germany

Germany faces growing ICT labour shortages due to demographic change, while Kenya offers a young, skilled and cost-competitive tech workforce with increasing global relevance. In January 2026, the Kenyan-German Working Group on Global Business Services convened experts from both countries to discuss labour market trends, supported by a joint study from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the Trends and Insights for Africa Institute on ethical outsourcing. The exchange revealed strong complementarities between the two labour markets, identifying concrete pathways for German companies to access Kenyan talent via remote working and local partnerships. Ethical IT outsourcing creates win-win opportunities by addressing Germany's skills shortage while generating high-quality employment and growth in Kenya's digital economy.

Advancing data-driven urban innovation

Cities worldwide are exploring ways in which data can be used to improve urban services, promote sustainability and enhance quality of life. In February 2024, Germany and Kenya jointly hosted over 180 international stakeholders in Nairobi for the event “Data-Driven Cities: Conference for the Urban Common Good”. It gathered experts from government, academia, industry and civil society who explored data strategies, platforms and urban innovation projects. The conference fostered cross-country learning and produced jointly developed recommendations for Kenyan-German cooperation. By strengthening collaboration on data-driven urban development, cities can become more liveable and sustainable, and demonstrate how digital transformation can deliver tangible public value.

Find out more about activities within the Kenyan-German Digital Dialogue here!