The Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) project, funded by the European Union with KES 454 million (EUR 3 million) over a 36-month period, aims to strengthen Kenya’s national cybersecurity ecosystem and ensure a secure, resilient and trusted digital environment for citizens, public institutions and businesses. The initiative supports Kenya’s growing digital economy by reinforcing the foundations needed to protect critical information infrastructure and safeguard digital services.
The official launch brought together senior representatives from key Kenyan institutions, including the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee, the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and the National Treasury, alongside development partners and EU Member States. This broad participation highlighted the national importance of cybersecurity and the collaborative approach underpinning the project.
Speaking ahead of the event, the European Union Ambassador to Kenya emphasized that cybersecurity is essential for trust in the digital economy and the effective delivery of public services. With Kenya’s rapid expansion of e-government services, digital payments and online platforms, strong cyber resilience is seen as critical to protecting citizens’ rights, ensuring service continuity and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Kenyan government representatives stressed that the KCR project is fully aligned with national priorities, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Digital Master Plan. Developed through extensive consultations with national stakeholders, the project is designed to address real institutional needs while operationalising Kenya’s long-term digital ambitions. Cyber resilience was underscored as a national priority that underpins economic development and democratic values, rather than a purely technical concern.
The project is implemented by Expertise France, in grant partnership with the Estonian Centre for International Development, and works in close coordination with Kenyan authorities to ensure strong national ownership and long-term sustainability. It focuses on strengthening legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks, enhancing operational capacities for preventing and responding to cyber incidents, and promoting cybersecurity awareness, inclusion and trust, with particular attention to women, youth and users of public services.
The first Steering Committee meeting marked a key milestone, validating the project’s work plan and upcoming priorities. Co-chaired by the European Union and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the committee will provide strategic guidance and coordination throughout implementation. Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the Team Europe Initiative on Human-Centred Digitalisation and the EU–AU Digital Compact, the KCR project reflects the European Union’s long-term commitment to supporting Kenya’s secure, inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
