Kenya is strengthening its position as a leading digital trade hub in Africa as Nairobi prepares to host the Digital Trade Congress (DTC) 2026 on August 28.
Held under the theme “From Local to Global: Scaling Cross-Border Trade,” the congress is expected to bring together more than 200 policymakers, business leaders, investors, technology innovators and development partners to discuss the future of digital commerce and cross-border trade in Africa.
The event is being organised by Teki in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Pan-African E-commerce Initiative (PECI). The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s digital trade ecosystem and expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women-led businesses and young entrepreneurs participating in cross-border commerce.
Kenya Targets a Bigger Role in Africa’s Digital Economy
Kenya’s growing focus on digital trade comes as African countries accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.
The country has been designated the African Union Champion for Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, reflecting its growing role in areas including digital payments, technology and e-commerce. Digital trade has also been identified as a strategic pillar of Kenya’s economic transformation agenda, with technology-enabled commerce expected to contribute to exports, industrialisation, employment and regional competitiveness.
The scale of the opportunity is significant. Industry forecasts cited by the congress organisers suggest that Africa’s e-commerce market could surpass $113 billion by 2029, while cross-border payment flows could increase from approximately $329 billion in 2025 to around $1 trillion by 2035. More than 500 million Africans are already participating in digital commerce.
Focus on Cross-Border Trade Barriers
Despite the rapid growth of digital commerce, businesses operating across African markets continue to face challenges related to fragmented regulations, payments, logistics costs, cybersecurity and limited access to digital markets.
DTC 2026 will address these challenges through executive discussions, investment forums, innovation showcases and business-to-business engagements. Key topics will include cross-border logistics, digital payments, fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, consumer protection and regulatory harmonisation.
The congress programme also includes discussions on market access, digital trade regulations, technology infrastructure, financing and inclusion, highlighting the need to create a more connected environment for businesses seeking to expand beyond their domestic markets.
Kenya Ecommerce Alliance to Launch
One of the key highlights of the event will be the launch of the Kenya Ecommerce Alliance (KECA), a public-private platform designed to bring together government, industry, development partners and businesses.
The alliance is expected to support greater coordination across Kenya’s digital commerce ecosystem and contribute to the development of an environment where local businesses can scale into regional and international markets.
As Nairobi continues to attract technology companies, investors and digital businesses, the Digital Trade Congress reflects Kenya’s broader ambition to move from being a technology and innovation centre to becoming a major gateway for Africa’s cross-border digital commerce.
The Digital Trade Congress 2026 will take place on August 28 at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, bringing together stakeholders from across the African trade ecosystem under a shared focus on turning digital trade opportunities into practical commercial growth.