European Union and Kenya Launch the Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) project to support secure, inclusive and trusted digital transformation

Funded by the European Union with KES. 454 million (EUR 3 million) over 36 months, the project supports Kenya in strengthening its national cybersecurity ecosystem to ensure a secure, resilient and trusted digital environment for citizens, public institutions and businesses.

The launch event brought together senior representatives from key Kenyan partners, including the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4), the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA / KE-CIRT/CC), the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Treasury, as well as development partners and EU Member States.

"Cybersecurity underpins trust in the digital economy and the delivery of public services. With Kenya's rapid expansion of e-government services, digital payments and online platforms, strong cyber resilience is vital to protect critical information infrastructure, maintain service continuity and safeguard citizens' rights," said H.E. Henriette Geiger, European Union Ambassador to Kenya, ahead of the event.

Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in charge of the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy explained that "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."

Mr. Stephen Isaboke, EBS, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in charge Broadcasting and Telecommunications emphasized that "Cyber resilience is not a "tech problem" - it is a national priority. It is the prerequisite for our economic growth and the guardian of our democratic values. The launch of the Kenya Cyber Resilience Project marks the beginning of a 36-month journey toward a safer digital Kenya. We have the plan, we have the partners, and we have the will."

The KCR project is implemented by Expertise France, the French public agency for international technical cooperation, in grant partnership with Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), in close coordination with Kenyan authorities to ensure national ownership and sustainability.

The project is structured around three complementary pillars:

• strengthening legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for cybersecurity;

• enhancing national and sectoral operational capacities for cyber incident prevention and response;

• promoting cybersecurity awareness, inclusion and trust, with particular attention to women, youth and public service users.

The first Steering Committee meeting marked an important milestone in the governance of the project, with the validation of the project's work plan and next milestones. The Steering Committee, co-chaired by the European Union and MICDE, will provide strategic guidance and ensure effective coordination throughout the implementation period.

The KCR project is fully aligned with the European Union's Global Gateway strategy, the Team Europe Initiative on Human-Centred Digitalisation, and the EU-AU Digital Compact, and contributes to strengthening cooperation between the European Union and Kenya in the digital and cybersecurity domains.

Through this initiative, the European Union reaffirms its long-term commitment to supporting Kenya's digital transformation in a secure, inclusive and sustainable manner, and to reinforcing cyber resilience as a foundation for development, stability and trust.

See also: Fact Sheet - Kenya Cyber Resilience Project