COMESA HOSTS REGIONAL VALIDATION WORKSHOP TO HARMONISE KEY ICT POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS

Nairobi, 24 November 2025 — The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in partnership with regional institutions and development partners, has convened a high-level stakeholder validation workshop in Nairobi to refine harmonised ICT policy and regulatory frameworks for the region.

The week-long workshop, running from 24–29 November 2025, brings together senior officials from COMESA Member States, IGAD, the East African Community (EAC), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), SADC ICT associations, and cooperating partners under the EGEE-ICT Programme. The meeting aims to finalise draft frameworks covering E-commerce, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Data Protection and Privacy, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Speaking on behalf of the COMESA Secretary General, Dr. Benard Dzawanda, Director of Infrastructure and Logistics, underscored the importance of collective regional action to build an inclusive and trusted digital economy.

“Member States share a collective responsibility to shape a digital future that supports innovation, cross-border trade and secure online transactions,” Dr. Dzawanda said. He further recognised the European Union for its continued technical and financial support, urging delegates to refine the policy instruments to address persistent regional gaps such as fragmented regulations, inconsistent digital payment systems, and inadequate consumer protection mechanisms.

Guest of Honour Mr. Timothy Were, Director of ICT at Kenya’s State Department for Trade, reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to championing digital integration in Eastern and Southern Africa.

“Kenya remains committed to strengthening regional ICT cooperation and advancing policies that unlock the potential of digital trade,” he said, noting that harmonised frameworks are crucial for lowering barriers and supporting private-sector growth.

The validation workshop represents a major milestone in COMESA’s efforts to strengthen digital governance and foster a predictable regulatory environment across the region. Once finalised, the frameworks will be submitted to Member States for domestication and implementation, paving the way for improved digital interoperability, strengthened cybersecurity, and enhanced protection of online consumers and businesses.