Nairobi: Tech-savvy individuals, the business community, and organizations from across Africa have converged in Nairobi for the Seamless East Africa 2025 event to discuss driving change in digital commerce to boost the economy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the two-day event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre brought together over 2,000 leading players in fintech, payments, and digital commerce. The gathering included financial service industry decision-makers from large enterprises, small and medium enterprises, start-ups, NGOs, regulators, and government entities. Companies also showcased their products during the event.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Mary Kerema, Secretary ICT E-Government-In-Charge of Systems in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, emphasized the government's initiatives to implement cybersecurity policies and regulations to combat cybercrimes and threats.
As a panellist on the topic 'The Transformative Power of New Open Payment Integrations for Consumers and Companies in Africa', Ms. Kerema highlighted ongoing cross-border discussions within the East African Community aimed at developing seamless payment systems for online goods, visas, and other activities. She emphasized Africa's need to build indigenous solutions, liberating the region from dependence on imported solutions.
The Secretary of ICT announced Kenya's plans to establish an open-source platform to support young innovators. She also mentioned the government's efforts to develop policies encompassing emerging technologies like blockchain, with a regulatory bill currently in Parliament.
Ms. Kerema stated that the Kenyan government is automating its data and services to improve service delivery, collaborating with the World Bank in this endeavor. She highlighted the importance of engaging citizens in technology development through stakeholders' engagements and educating the public on internet use.
She encouraged the youth to utilize digital hubs such as Ajira, Jitume, and Konza Technopolis, established by the government to provide digital jobs and promote innovation. The Konza Hub, she noted, helps youth incubate solutions, simulate innovations to meet global standards, and prepare them for export.
During the event, 70 companies from countries including the United Kingdom, Kenya, China, South Africa, India, Bahrain, and Ireland exhibited their products.