From consensus to action: ILO Community of Practice propels digital economy reforms in Kenya

Bringing together government ministries and social partners, the ILO Community of Practice accelerates policy reforms to drive an inclusive and productive digital transformation in Kenya.

In a high-level consensus-building workshop facilitated by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Community of Practice (CoP) on Digital Skills and Jobs reconvened in August 2024 to craft actionable policy recommendations that support Kenya’s digital transformation.

Setting the stage for the two-day discussion, Mary Kerema, Secretary for E-government and the Digital Economy at the Ministry of Information Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), emphasized the broader implications of access to digital technologies for people and business in Kenya, “Access to the digital economy is not only a matter of technology but also of justice, equity, and opportunity. We have the responsibility to ensure that our regulatory environment is both enabling and protective, striking the right balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.”

Since its launch in August 2023, the CoP has been instrumental in mapping gaps in laws and policies to promote decent work and inclusion within Kenya’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. These efforts have directly informed the MICDE’s forthcoming National Action Plan on Innovation, Enterprise Development, Digital Skills and Jobs, which seeks to update regulations to reflect new developments in the digital economy and shifting labour market dynamics.

Improving policy alignment and inter-ministerial collaboration

One of the significant successes of the CoP has been fostering closer collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MoLSP) and MICDE, particularly on issues of job creation and labour and social protections for workers in the digital economy. Hellen Apiyo, Kenya’s Labour Commissioner, highlighted this progress, stating, “It is very important for us at the Ministry of Labour to be involved in the CoP discussions, as it ventures into areas we have not traditionally engaged with. I am pleased to report that there is now a closer relationship with MICDE on the topic of the digital economy, and we look forward to further collaboration.”

Building on this momentum, both ministries have agreed to co-create a work plan centred around three priorities:

• Digital Labour Policy and Digital Job Creation Strategy
• Digital Skills Standard and Guidelines; and
• National Strategy for the Growth of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Information Technology Enabled Services and Jobs.

In addition, the Labour Commissioner, alongside the State Secretary of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), will serve as focal points for collaborative efforts stemming from the Working Group on Policy, Legislative, and Regulatory Reform in the ICT Sector, appointed by MICDE in September 2023. Priority areas of intervention for this group include workforce upskilling and reskilling and strengthening the startup ecosystem. The Labour Commissioner’s involvement will be crucial in ensuring that decent work components such as labour and social protections are embedded throughout the process.

Charting a path for Kenya’s digital future

During the workshop, government agency groups were formed, consisting of representatives from the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s Office and line ministries, departments, agencies, and social partners. These groups presented concrete recommendations to enhance policy coordination, strengthen data protection, expand business development services for micro and small enterprises, and improve unionization and working conditions for platform workers. These proposals will undergo further refinement, with timelines and accountability mechanisms set to track progress and ensure commitment from all partners.

To enrich the discussion, the ILO shared key findings from its global law and practice report, prepared ahead of the 2025 International Labour Conference. The report offers insight into the regulatory practices of member states in advancing decent work in the platform economy, covering policy areas such as occupational safety and health, working time, remuneration, algorithm management and dispute resolution.

The future of the CoP

By the end of the workshop, consensus was reached to integrate the CoP’s agenda into broader government-led policy initiatives. One potential avenue is through the National Sector Skills Committees. ILO will facilitate a follow-up meeting between MICDE and the State Department of Skills Development to explore how best to mainstream the CoP’s efforts in shaping Kenya’s digital future.

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PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund project “Promotion, inclusion and protection of refugees and host communities in the gig economy” funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.