Kenya is set to host its first-ever National Software Summit; an ambitious event aimed at catalyzing the country’s position as a continental leader in software innovation and digital sovereignty.

The summit, organized by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, in collaboration with various technology stakeholders, will take place from October 7 to 9, 2025, at the University of Eldoret.

According to organizers, the three-day forum will bring together a wide array of participants, including representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, tech companies, regulators, academia, start-ups, and development partners. The goal is to create a unified framework for accelerating Kenya’s software development capacity, while also boosting innovation, collaboration, and exports.

In remarks delivered on his behalf by ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui, Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau described the summit as a turning point in Kenya’s digital evolution.

“Kenya stands at a transformative crossroads with a vibrant youth demographic, a burgeoning pool of digital talent, and a dynamic mobile and internet ecosystem,” Kabogo said.

“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 support this vision, Kabogo announced the upcoming launch of a National Software Development Policy a landmark framework that will formalize software as a strategic national asset. The policy will define standards for software development, procurement, adoption, and export.

PS Tanui reiterated that the government sees software as “the engine of our economic transformation,” noting that the Build and Buy Kenya Digital Framework will promote the use of locally developed software across public institutions.

The pre-summit meeting, held in Nairobi, was attended by key officials including Principal Secretaries Fikirini Jacobs (Youth Affairs), Regina Ombam (Trade), Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak (Science, Research and Innovation), and Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait.

The event served as a clarion call for Kenya’s private sector, academia, and international partners to align with government in scaling homegrown solutions, driving investment, and coding a future rooted in digital self-reliance.

The summit is expected to culminate in bold resolutions to accelerate Kenya’s software innovation agenda, transforming the sector into a cornerstone of national development and economic resilience.