Kenya has been recognized as the most progressive country in Africa for information and communication technology (ICT) regulation, according to a newly released global assessment by a United Nations agency.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized UN agency for ICTs, ranked Kenya first on the continent in its 2024 ICT Regulatory Tracker, scoring 93 out of 100 points. This marks a slight yet significant improvement from its 2023 score of 92.
Kenya now leads the pack in Africa, ahead of regional giants Nigeria (92 points) and South Africa (88 points). Other countries rounding out the continent’s top 10 include Malawi, Egypt, Rwanda, Morocco, Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.
Globally, Kenya climbed to the 20th position out of 194 countries, outperforming many developed nations. At the top of the global list was Italy with a perfect score of 100, followed closely by Lithuania (99.5), and Finland and Ireland, which tied at 99 points.
The ICT Regulatory Tracker is a data-driven evaluation tool used to assess the strength and maturity of regulatory frameworks across the ITU’s member countries. The 2024 edition focused on several key dimensions: the structure and independence of the national regulatory authority, the extent of its legal and institutional mandate, the existing regulatory policies, and the effectiveness of competition frameworks in digital markets.
Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has been instrumental in spearheading reforms, including enhanced data protection frameworks, digital inclusion initiatives, and transparent spectrum management. These efforts, according to experts, have made Kenya a regional hub for digital innovation.
Speaking on the achievement, CA Director General David Mugonyi lauded the recognition, saying it reflects Kenya’s sustained investment in creating a modern, inclusive, and competitive ICT environment.
Kenya’s ranking comes at a pivotal time as the country ramps up efforts to implement its Digital Superhighway agenda, a core pillar of its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to bring affordable internet access and digital services to all citizens.
The ITU Tracker’s recognition is expected to boost investor confidence in Kenya’s ICT sector, already seen as a powerhouse in mobile money, fintech, and e-government solutions.
