From 1 to 3 September, DigiKen-Digital Platforms Kenya brought together key partners and trainers to lay the groundwork for delivering transformative digital literacy trainings across the country.
DigiKen is a transformative 36-month initiative led by UNESCO, together with UNCDF, UN Women, and UNEP, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya and the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy. It aims to strengthen digital skilling, foster green innovation, promote financial inclusion, advance gender-responsive digital entrepreneurship, and equip government officials with the knowledge to uphold digital governance and human rights ensuring no one is left behind in Kenya’s digital transformation journey
Building Local Capacity through Innovation Hubs
The workshop, organized by UN Women and UNEP in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), through the green and Digital Innovation Hub (gDIH) Kenya, convened 45 Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) drawn from 15 Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) across Kenya. These hubs, each serving more than 500 community members, are at the heart of DigiKen’s outreach providing women, youth, and marginalized groups with opportunities to participate in Kenya’s digital economy and society.
Through ACTS, a leading intergovernmental policy think tank in science, technology, and innovation, DigiKen will roll out a comprehensive digital literacy curriculum using a trainer-of-trainers model. This model leverages both the DIHs and graduates of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) to cascade digital skills training to communities nationwide.
Workshop Outcomes and Impact
By the end of the workshop, participants gained a clear roadmap for DigiKen’s community-level training roll-out, strengthened their skills in programme delivery and safeguarding, and renewed their commitment to inclusive, gender-responsive digital transformation. The trained ToTs are now prepared to deploy the DigiKen digital literacy curriculum in their hubs, expanding access for women, youth, and marginalized groups to vital digital skills that foster economic empowerment and social participation.
Participants echoed the importance of DigiKen’s timely intervention.
“This programme will be truly valuable for the people of Tana River County. The county faces many challenges, from GBV, FGM, and violence to recurring droughts—issues that disproportionately affect women, youth, and persons with disabilities. DigiKen has come at the right time. It offers marginalized groups a chance to explore alternative sources of income, gain empowerment, and acquire the digital skills needed to navigate today’s world. DigiKen is indeed a great choice,” said Khavai Agripina of Kijiji Connect ICT Hub.
Others highlighted the relevance and practicality of the training itself. “The training was insightful, practical, and empowering,” shared Omar Dubow from the Northern Innovation and Empowerment Hub (NieHub).
Towards a Thriving Digital Future
DigiKen embodies a bold commitment by the United Nations and the Government of Kenya to harness digital technologies for sustainable development. By equipping civil servants with digital and AI skills, integrating financial and entrepreneurial support, and placing gender equality and climate action at its core, DigiKen is expanding access to technology while reshaping the future of inclusion and innovation in Kenya.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
