Kenya became a Signatory Member of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) after Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau signed the charter at a ceremony on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The signing follows the DCO Council’s August approval of Kenya’s candidature alongside seven other countries, expanding the bloc from 16 to 24 members once all accession processes are completed.

At this stage Kenya is a Signatory Member; full membership will only be effective after completing national internal procedures and depositing the required instrument with the DCO.

The DCO expects its eventual 24‑country membership to represent about 980 million people, providing a larger diplomatic platform for coordinating digital policy.

Why the DCO matters for Kenya’s digital agenda

Kenya is already pursuing AI governance, data protection, digital public infrastructure, digital identity, connectivity and digital services, areas that align with the DCO’s focus on AI, cross‑border data and digital trade.

Cross‑border data flows are critical for Kenyan businesses that rely on overseas cloud and AI providers, making multilateral arrangements on trusted data exchanges directly relevant.

Kenya’s digital economy, valued at roughly $4.2 billion and contributing 9.2 % of GDP in 2024, offers practical experience in mobile payments, APIs and fintech that the DCO highlights as a contribution to the bloc.

Membership could give Kenyan firms access to DCO programmes such as the Digital Economy Navigator, policy‑harmonisation tools and AI‑focused startup collaborations, pending active participation.