(Nairobi, Kenya) – Kenya is stepping up efforts to position itself as Africa’s leading digital trade hub as the continent accelerates implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Digital Trade Protocol.
More than 200 policymakers, business leaders, investors, technology innovators and development partners are expected to attend the Digital Trade Congress 2026 in Nairobi on August 28, under the theme “From local to global: scaling cross border trade.”
The congress is being organised by Teki in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit through its Pan African E-commerce Initiative, which is the anchor sponsor.
The partnership seeks to strengthen Africa’s digital trade ecosystem and enable more small and medium sized enterprises, women led businesses and young entrepreneurs to participate in cross border commerce.
Jennifer Chiku, Digital Trade Manager at GIZ Kenya, said Africa needs trusted digital markets and stronger regional cooperation to unlock the potential of e-commerce.
“Africa stands at the threshold of a new era in digital trade. Realising this opportunity requires trusted digital markets, supportive legal and regulatory frameworks and stronger regional collaboration,” Chiku said.
She said GIZ was working with partners across Africa to strengthen the enabling environment for cross border e-commerce and ensure SMEs and young entrepreneurs benefit from the digital economy.
Teki chief executive Martin Muli said the congress would provide a platform for translating digital trade policies into practical commercial opportunities.
“Africa has entered a defining decade for digital commerce. As governments implement the AfCFTA and businesses increasingly embrace technology, the opportunity now is to remove the barriers that limit cross border trade,” Muli said.
Kenya has been designated the African Union Champion for Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, reflecting its growing role in digital payments, innovation and e-commerce.
The government has also identified digital trade as a strategic pillar of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda, with technology enabled commerce expected to support exports, industrialisation, job creation and regional competitiveness.
Industry forecasts cited by the organisers indicate that Africa’s e-commerce market could exceed $113 billion by 2029, equivalent to approximately KES 14.6 trillion or £89 billion at current exchange rates.
Cross border payment flows are projected to rise from $329 billion in 2025, about KES 42.4 trillion or £259 billion, to about $1 trillion by 2035.
More than 500 million Africans are already participating in digital commerce, increasing the urgency of addressing barriers such as fragmented regulations, payment challenges, logistics costs, cybersecurity risks and limited access to digital markets.
The DTC 2026 will bring together stakeholders through executive dialogues, investment forums, innovation showcases and business to business engagements, with discussions expected to focus on cross border logistics, digital payments, fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, consumer protection and regulatory harmonisation.
A key highlight will be the launch of the Kenya Ecommerce Alliance, a public private platform bringing together government, industry, development partners and businesses to strengthen the country’s digital commerce ecosystem.
The congress has also secured support from players including Twiva, the official creator commerce partner, and WYLDE International, the strategic growth advisory partner. Ecommerce associations from Germany, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya are also expected to participate.