As we delight in the resounding success from the 2024 Kenya Internet Summit & .KE Awards, it’s time to reflect on the key moments and lasting impact of this remarkable event. Held under the theme Bridging the Digital Divide & Unleashing the Power of Partnerships, this two day summit brought together a vibrant community of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, internet enthusiasts, industry leaders, and government officials, to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age.
A Success Built on Collaboration
The Kenya Internet Summit provided attendees with valuable knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities to actively contribute to the growth of the internet in Kenya. Participants from various sectors engaged in productive discussions and collaborations, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.
We had a total of 35 speakers, 8 sponsors and exhibitors, 324 in-person participants for both 2 days and over 1,000+ virtual attendees that streamed on the Zoom platform and our social media platforms. We are excited to continue our partnership with you and showcase the technological advancements of the .KE domain name.
The summit featured inspiring keynote addresses from our esteemed chief guests:
Ambassador Philip Thigo, MBS, the Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya: He emphasized the importance of trust and collaboration in bridging the digital divide, stating “I think trust is a big deal. You only build trust by doing things together, not alone.”
Ms. Mercy Wanjau, MBS, Secretary to the Cabinet: She highlighted the transformative power of technology and Kenya’s potential for excellence in the domain hosting industry. She emphasized, “We have the necessary infrastructure, capabilities, and skills right here in our country. It’s time to raise the bar and set our sights on becoming one of the best countries in this field. Strategic partnerships will be crucial in achieving this goal.”
Key Highlights
Informative Panel Discussions on:
– Empowering Entrepreneurs through Domain Investment
– Innovation and Entrepreneurship Best Practices for Kenya’s and Africa’s Digital Transformation
– Role of Data Centers in Kenya’s and Africa’s Digital Economy
– Shaping Kenya’s Digital Outlook: A conversation with Thought Leaders
– Youth Empowerment and Digital Citizenship
Presentations by:
– Elimu Holdings Limited on Taking Schools Online Program
– ICANN on New gTLD Program: Next Round
– FMC Advocates LLP on Law and Internet
– Zoho Sign on Digital Signatures for Digital-first businesses in Kenya
– KENET on Building a Resilient Network Infrastructure and Fostering Collaboration
– M-zawadi Group Loyalty on the Future of Collaborations
– Emudhra on Website Security Solutions
– She Goes Digital Kenya on Bridging the Gender Digital Divide in Kenya
– Konza Technopolis on Bridging the Digital Divide & Unleashing the Power of Partnerships
– Amazon Web Services on Pushing Boundaries of Innovation & Embracing a Culture of Creativity
Networking Opportunities: The summit facilitated ample networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential collaborations, and build valuable relationships.
Celebrating .KE Registrars Excellence: We announce another successful .KE Registrar Awards! The 8th edition was held on August 15th at the #KenyaInternetSummit2024. The .KE Registrar Awards recognized outstanding registrars for their contributions to the growth and development of the .KE domain. This award ceremony celebrated the achievements of those who have played a significant role in shaping Kenya’s digital landscape. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!
Impact and Legacy
The Kenya Internet Summit & .KE Awards 2024 has not only left a lasting impact on the Kenyan tech community but birthed a new forum for engagement that will only grow bigger and more impactful. By fostering dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, the event has contributed to:
– Bridging the Digital Divide: by raising awareness of the digital divide and encouraged efforts to ensure that everyone has access to the internet and exposure to the diversity of online digital tools.
–Promoting Innovation: The event showcased the innovative work being done in Kenya’s tech sector and inspired participants to pursue new ideas and projects.
– Strengthening Partnerships: The summit facilitated the formation of partnerships between government, businesses, and civil society organizations, leading to more effective collaboration and a stronger digital ecosystem. A resounding theme at the summit was ‘Collaborate, not compete’, that was unanimously embraced by the delegates.
Our Sponsors & Partners
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and partners who played a vital role in making this event a big success. To the below organizations, we say a big Thank You!
ICANN – https://www.icann.org/
KENYA EDUCATION NETWORK – https://www.kenet.or.ke/
ICEA LION Group – https://icealion.co.ke/
FMC Advocates LLP – https://fmcadvocates.com/
eMudhra – https://emudhra.com/home-global
Zoho Sign – https://www.zoho.com/en-ke/sign/
PAIX Data Centres – https://www.paix.io/
Elimu Holdings Limited – https://www.elimuholdings.co.ke/
Africa Top Level Domains (AfTLD) – https://www.aftld.org/
Konza Technopolis – https://konza.go.ke/
HOSTAFRICA – https://www.hostafrica.ke/
Oracom Group – https://oracomgroup.com/
KICTANet – https://www.kictanet.or.ke/
Dotsavvy – https://www.dotsavvyafrica.com/
Host Pinnacle – https://www.hostpinnacle.co.ke/
Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) – https://www.tespok.co.ke/
Frontier Optical Networks – https://www.tespok.co.ke/
She Goes Digital KE – https://www.shegoesdigitalke.org/
CIO Africa by dx5 – https://cioafrica.co/
Great event with great reviews and feedback from our Board and Committees, Staff, Sponsors and Partners. It has undoubtedly left a lasting impact and premiered a new and impact-filled series of engagements in the ecosystem. The event empowered attendees with knowledge, fueled collaboration, and celebrated innovation, propelling Kenya farther towards a brighter digital future. As the country continues to embrace digitalization, the summit’s legacy and mission will continue to be a catalyst for growth and success of Kenyan entrepreneurs, businesses and online communities.
Kenya Internet Summit will be positioned to attract major partners including more Government, Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers, Sector bodies e.g Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Business Registration Service (BRS), Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA), the Internet Society (ISOC) and engagement kicks off in Q4 for 2025 events.
To relive the excitement and insights from the Kenya Internet Summit + Awards 2024, you can watch the each panel discussion and presentations on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kenictld7117/featured.
- Written by Doreen Khamala, Marketing and Communications Executive.