Kenya has signed the Charter of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), taking another step toward full membership in the 24-country digital cooperation bloc as governments strengthen collaboration on artificial intelligence, cross-border data and digital trade.
Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo Gitau signed the Charter and handed it to DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The DCO currently describes Kenya as a Signatory Member, with the remaining accession procedures still to be completed.
The development follows the DCO Council’s August approval of Kenya’s candidature alongside Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Zambia. Once the accession processes are completed, the expansion is expected to increase the organisation’s membership from 16 to 24 countries, representing approximately 980 million people.
For Kenya, the DCO provides another platform to engage on digital policy issues already shaping the country’s technology landscape. These include AI governance, data protection, digital public infrastructure, digital identity, connectivity and digital services.
Cross-border data is particularly relevant as Kenyan businesses and public institutions increasingly rely on cloud platforms, AI providers and other international technology infrastructure. International cooperation on trusted data flows and digital trade could therefore influence how Kenyan companies access regional and global markets.
Kenya’s existing digital ecosystem also gives it experience to contribute to the organisation. The country has developed a strong mobile financial services sector, fintech ecosystem and growing digital economy, with the DCO citing Kenya’s ICT sector as contributing 9.2% of GDP in 2024 and the digital economy being valued at approximately $4.2 billion.
The practical impact of the membership will depend on what follows the Charter signing. Key areas to watch include cooperation on AI governance, cross-border data arrangements, digital trade, infrastructure investment, skills development and opportunities for Kenyan startups and technology companies to access other DCO markets.
Kenya’s engagement with the DCO adds another layer to its broader digital strategy, alongside its partnerships with the European Union, African continental frameworks and domestic initiatives such as the AI Strategy 2025–2030.
The next stage will be the completion of Kenya’s accession procedures and the translation of DCO cooperation into practical opportunities for government, businesses, researchers and the wider technology sector.
