digital trade - WORLDEF

Nairobi to Host Digital Trade Congress 2026 as Kenya Strengthens Its Digital Trade Ambitions

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.

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UK and Kenya Open Negotiations on Landmark Digital Trade Agreement

The United Kingdom and Kenya have officially launched negotiations on a comprehensive digital trade agreement designed to strengthen economic ties, expand digital commerce, and attract greater technology investment between the two countries.

The proposed agreement is expected to establish a modern framework for digital trade by improving the flow of online services, supporting innovation, and reducing barriers for businesses operating across both markets. The initiative reflects the growing importance of digital economies in international trade and builds on the long-standing commercial relationship between the UK and Kenya.

Focus on E-Commerce and Digital Innovation

Negotiators aim to create rules that facilitate cross-border digital transactions while encouraging investment in technology-driven industries. The agreement is expected to benefit businesses ranging from startups and fintech firms to e-commerce platforms and digital service providers.

Among the key objectives are improving regulatory cooperation, promoting trusted digital trade, supporting secure data flows, and creating a more predictable business environment for companies expanding internationally.

The partnership is also intended to encourage innovation by enabling businesses to adopt new digital technologies and expand access to international markets.

Strengthening Kenya’s Digital Economy

For Kenya, the negotiations represent another step in advancing its ambition to become a leading digital economy in Africa. The country has experienced rapid growth in mobile payments, online retail, financial technology, and digital entrepreneurship over the past decade.

A digital trade agreement with the UK could help Kenyan businesses access new export opportunities while attracting foreign investment into technology infrastructure, digital services, and innovation ecosystems.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a significant share of Kenya’s economy, are also expected to benefit from simplified digital trade processes and improved market access.

Expanding Opportunities for UK Businesses

For the United Kingdom, the agreement supports its broader strategy of deepening trade relationships with high-growth economies following Brexit. By strengthening digital cooperation with Kenya, British companies could gain greater access to one of Africa’s fastest-growing technology markets.

The agreement is expected to create new opportunities for businesses operating in sectors including cloud computing, financial technology, cybersecurity, digital logistics, artificial intelligence, and professional digital services.

Building on Existing Trade Relations

The negotiations complement the existing trade partnership between the UK and Kenya while shifting greater attention toward the digital economy. As global commerce increasingly moves online, both governments are seeking to establish trade rules that reflect modern business practices and support long-term economic growth.

If concluded, the agreement could become one of Africa’s most significant bilateral digital trade partnerships, serving as a model for future digital economy agreements between developed and emerging markets.

Officials from both countries will continue discussions over the coming months as they work toward a comprehensive framework that promotes innovation, enhances digital connectivity, and supports sustainable growth in cross-border e-commerce and technology investment.

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Turkic States Prepare for a New Era in Digital Trade

The domestic approval process continues in the countries under the “Digital Economy Partnership Agreement among the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States”, which aims to develop digital trade among Turkic states. Türkiye became the 3rd country to complete the domestic approval process after Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The “Digital Economy Partnership Agreement among the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States” aims to facilitate e-commerce, digital trade services and cross-border data-based economic activities among the members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan’s Approval Will Bring It into Force

Türkiye has completed the domestic approval process for the digital trade partnership agreement among OTS members, bringing the bloc closer to a new framework for digital trade and economic integration. The law approving the ratification of the agreement was published in Türkiye’s Official Gazette.

Thus, Türkiye became the third country after Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to complete the domestic approval process for the agreement. The agreement will enter into force after Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan also complete their domestic approval procedures.

What Does the Digital Trade Agreement Promise?

The “Digital Economy Partnership Agreement among the Governments of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States”, which aims to strengthen digital trade and economic integration among the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States, stands out as a strategic step in terms of digital transformation in the Turkic world. The agreement was signed on November 6, 2024, at the 11th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The agreement aims to reduce barriers in the fields of e-commerce, digital services and cross-border data-based economic activities. Within this scope, it is aimed to create a more integrated, predictable and common rules-based digital economy framework among the member countries.

The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement is expected to strengthen commercial and technological integration among Turkic states, facilitate businesses’ access to digital markets, encourage the use of innovative technologies and increase regional competitiveness.

The agreement covers many critical topics such as digital trade, paperless trade, electronic transactions, e-invoicing, electronic signatures, electronic payments, express delivery services, logistics, online consumer protection, personal data protection and commercial electronic messages. In addition, it is envisaged to increase cooperation in the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises into the digital economy, financial technologies, cybersecurity and competition policy.

The agreement also contributes to deepening economic cooperation in the Turkic world on the basis of shared values, while paving the way for Turkic states to gain a stronger position in the global process in which digital trade rules are being shaped.

Digital Integration Is Accelerating Among the Turkic States

WTO E-Commerce Talks Stall as 66 Members Push Interim Global Digital Trade Framework

Global e-commerce is entering a critical phase as WTO negotiations continue to stall, exposing deep divisions over the future of digital trade. While discussions remain unresolved, 66 member countries have taken a proactive step by advancing an interim framework to move forward without full consensus.

This shift signals a growing reality: global e-commerce can no longer wait for unanimous agreements. Instead, leading economies are beginning to shape the rules independently, accelerating the transition toward a fragmented but evolving digital trade system.

A Shift from Consensus to Coalition

The WTO has traditionally operated on consensus, but the current deadlock highlights the limitations of this model in a fast-moving digital economy. By pushing an interim framework, participating countries are effectively redefining how global e-commerce governance may evolve through coalitions rather than universal agreements.

With at least 45 members required for the framework to take effect, the initiative reflects both urgency and strategic alignment among key players in digital trade.

Why This Matters for E-Commerce

For global businesses, the implications are significant. A coalition-driven approach could lead to:

Faster implementation of digital trade rules
Increased regional alignment
Potential fragmentation in global standards

This creates both opportunities and risks. While companies may benefit from clearer rules in participating markets, differing frameworks across regions could complicate cross-border operations.

The Bigger Picture

The WTO’s stalled negotiations are not just a policy issue they reflect a broader transformation in how global e-commerce is governed. As digital trade grows faster than traditional regulatory systems, countries are being forced to adapt in real time.

The interim framework may not solve all challenges, but it marks a decisive step toward a new era of e-commerce governance one that is more flexible, faster-moving, and potentially more fragmented.

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