Kenya Launches Kenya Cyber Resilience Project to Secure the Digital Economy

The Government of Kenya has launched the Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) Project, a major national initiative aimed at strengthening the security, resilience and trustworthiness of Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. The €3 million project will be implemented over 36 months and marks a significant milestone in safeguarding the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr Stephen Isaboke, EBS, who was the Chief Guest, underscored Kenya’s global leadership in digital innovation, citing landmark achievements such as mobile money innovation, the digitisation of over 20,000 government services and the growth of the Silicon Savannah at Konza. He noted, however, that the scale and speed of digital transformation have also increased Kenya’s exposure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, making cyber resilience a national priority.

PS Isaboke emphasised that the KCR Project directly addresses these risks by strengthening governance, institutional coordination and public awareness, while protecting critical digital infrastructure. He highlighted the project’s focus on refining national cybersecurity policy, supporting the designation and protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, and enabling the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency to provide strategic leadership during cyber incidents and future crises.

On his part, the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng John Tanui, reaffirmed that cybersecurity is now a foundational requirement for Kenya’s economic growth, public trust and national stability. He noted that digital public services, financial systems, communications networks and data infrastructure have become integral components of Kenya’s critical national infrastructure.

Eng Tanui explained that the KCR Project is fully aligned with existing national frameworks, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Digital Master Plan, and is designed to operationalise the Government’s long-term digital ambitions. He highlighted that the project was developed through extensive consultations with national stakeholders to ensure it responds to real institutional needs and priorities.

A strong emphasis will also be placed on public awareness and inclusion, with roll out of nationwide cyber hygiene campaigns, with particular focus on women, youth and users of digital public services, supported by an interactive online platform offering training, certification and awareness tools.

The Kenya Cyber Resilience Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.