The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, in collaboration with various tech stakeholders, is set to host the first-ever Software Summit from October 7-9, 2025 at the University of Eldoret.
The three-day event is designed to bring together a diverse group of participants, including government agencies, private sector technology firms, financial institutions, regulators, development partners, and the academic and startup communities.
Its primary goal is to strengthen Kenya’s software development ecosystem and build a framework that positions the nation as a leader in software innovation on the continent.
Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau, in a speech read on his behalf by ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui, emphasized the country’s potential.
“Kenya stands at a transformative crossroads with a vibrant youth demographic, a burgeoning pool of digital talent, and a dynamic mobile and internet ecosystem,” he stated.
“We are uniquely positioned to lead not only Africa’s software revolution but to emerge as a global beacon of innovation and digital sovereignty.”
To achieve this ambitious vision, Kabogo highlighted the government’s commitment to establishing robust legal, institutional, and operational frameworks.
He noted that the upcoming National Software Development Policy will be the cornerstone of this effort, providing a clear architecture for software development, adoption, and export.
PS Tanui echoed this sentiment, underscoring the Ministry’s bold agenda. He described software as “the engine of our economic transformation and a strategic pillar for national sovereignty,” and stated that new policy will enshrine software as a strategic national asset.
The “Build and Buy Kenya Digital Framework” will also be championed to promote the use of locally developed software across government.
The pre-summit stakeholder meeting in Nairobi saw the attendance of other notable officials, including Principal Secretaries Fikirini Jacobs (Youth Affairs), Regina Ombam (Trade), Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak (Science, Research and Innovation), and Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait.
The occasion was a call to action for the private sector, academia, and development partners to co-create, invest, and scale with the government to code Kenya’s digital destiny.
