UN General Assembly President visits DigiKen hub in Nairobi, spotlighting Kenya’s inclusive digital transformation

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Ms Annalena Baerbock, visited PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute in Nairobi to see how Kenya’s digital transformation is being translated into skills, innovation and opportunity for young people, women, persons with disabilities and entrepreneurs.

The visit focused on  Digital Platforms Kenya (DigiKen), a UN Joint SDG Fund programme implemented by UNESCO, UNCDF, UN Women and UNEP in support of Kenya’s inclusive digital platforms ecosystem. Through digital innovation hubs, public sector training, digital entrepreneurship support and media and information literacy, the programme seeks to foster a thriving local digital platform ecosystem that advances sustainable development and leaves no one behind. This is through helping connect national digital priorities with practical learning and participation at community level.

PC Kinyanjui TTI served as one of the strategic demonstrations of DigiKen’s work in Kenya, given its role as a flagship Digital Innovation Hub under the programme. DigiKen is anchored in the institution’s Jitume Lab, where learners access structured digital skills, digital entrepreneurship training and community-based support.

The President was welcomed by Ms Lucy Mukiri Anampiu, Chief Principal of PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute and Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET. She met DigiKen beneficiaries, innovators, trainers, Government officials, Kenya School of Government representatives and key partners, including green Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH) established by GIZ-DTC (Teams Europe’s) working to advance inclusive digital transformation in Kenya.

Among those who shared their experiences was Amani Ali, an accessibility advocate and digital learner who lost his sight in 2013. He spoke about how access to digital tools and more inclusive learning content has strengthened his independence and confidence. His story reflected one of DigiKen’s central concerns: digital transformation must work for those who often face the greatest barriers to training, employment and entrepreneurship.

For the President, the visit showed what multilateral cooperation can mean when it is grounded in national priorities and people’s lived experiences.

“In these trying times, when the UN Charter is being openly challenged by some, the bad news oftentimes overshadows the good,” she said. “This trip was also about highlighting the many good stories of the UN. From stories like Amani, Nairobi was filled with examples that show the world would not be better off without the United Nations and that we are indeed better together.”

She also pointed to the need for wider participation in shaping the digital future, including through global discussions on artificial intelligence.

“It is really also a chance to shape a digital future in the benefit of all,” she said, noting the importance of experts from the African continent being part of emerging AI governance conversations. “I really am sure that many talented young people will come from here, from this wonderful place, to shape the digital future, but our common future together.”

I really am sure that many talented young people will come from here, from this wonderful place, to shape the digital future, but our common future together.

Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) said that the partnership demonstrated how digital transformation can create practical opportunities for young people in the country.

“Leadership can turn digital transformation into practical opportunities for young people, women, persons with disabilities and the surrounding community,” she said. “This partnership goes beyond technology. It advances inclusion, ensuring that those who often face barriers in training, employment and entrepreneurship are not left behind.”

Mr Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, linked the work at PC Kinyanjui to Kenya’s wider digital agenda, including digital infrastructure, public connectivity and digital hubs.

“Digital is current and digital is the future,” he said. “The Government is laying the fibre and the infrastructure to ensure that every Kenyan is connected. Once they are connected, they can use digital tools for learning, marketing, business, research and many other purposes.”

During the tour, the President also met students from the Fashion and Design Department who are applying digital skills to market their products online and integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, into creative design and production. They presented her with a gift bag designed and produced by students who are DigiKen beneficiaries.

Across Kenya, DigiKen programme is strengthening 15 digital innovation hubs across 12 counties. The programme has onboarded 45 Trainers of Trainers (3 per hub) and aims to reach 7,500 women and youth through digital skills, media and information literacy, digital platform entrepreneurship and training on sustainable artificial intelligence technologies.

The programme is also supporting public sector readiness for a more digital and AI-enabled economy. The UNESCO–Oxford MOOC on AI and Digital Transformation for Government, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford and implemented through the Kenya School of Government, has recorded more than 2600 learner enrollment and is supporting the Government of Kenya's efforts to build digital and AI leadership capacities across the public sector, with a target of reaching 20,000 learners by 2027.

The visit underscored that inclusive digital transformation is not only about infrastructure or devices. It is about building the skills, institutions and partnerships that allow people to use technology to learn, work, create and participate in Kenya’s digital future.

Digiken joint programme is supported by the Joint SDG Fund and led by the UN Resident Coordinator. We sincerely appreciate the contributions from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland and private sector funding partners in accelerating progress towards the SDGs by 2030.