In a strategic move to strengthen long-term digital cooperation, Estonia recently hosted European and East African partners to advance initiatives around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
As a critical emerging market driver, DPI has become the cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration and economic growth strategies.
Held from 25 to 27 May, the high-level discussions in Tallinn offered a practical blueprint for how robust digital foundations—such as secure data exchange, digital identity, and integrated payment systems—can accelerate cross-border trade, optimize public service delivery, and foster a unified regional digital market.
Strengthening Regional and Intercontinental Connections
The Europe–East Africa DPI Forum united tech enterprises, government bodies, investors, and development partners. The gathering aimed to forge strategic connections between the East African Community (EAC) and the European private sector, laying the groundwork for long-term investments.
The forum is a core component of the broader EU–EAC DEEP (Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments, and Public E-Services) and Deliver projects, both of which focus on developing targeted use cases to enhance cross-border digital services across the East African region.
Learning from Estonia's Digital Legacy
Hosted by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), the three-day program provided deep insights into Estonia’s journey as a global e-government pioneer. The sessions highlighted Estonia's successful secure data exchange architecture (X-Road), digital ID systems, and cybersecurity governance frameworks as scalable models to reinforce the EAC’s digital ecosystem.
The visiting delegation also attended the Africa Business Forum on 26 May, participating in high-level networking sessions focused on emerging digital trade channels. These conversations culminated in a DPI-focused side event, which deep-dived into actionable partnership modalities and digital platforms designed to drive regional integration and public service efficiency.
A Milestone Private Sector Agreement
A major highlight of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITL and the East African Business Council (EABC), establishing a formal framework for private-sector collaboration.
Reflecting on the impact of the new alliance, Doris Põld, CEO of ITL, stated:
"Estonian companies have built globally recognized expertise in digital governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, and trusted digital services. Through this partnership with the East African Business Council, we want to create practical opportunities for cooperation, where companies from both regions can share knowledge, develop new partnerships, and build scalable digital solutions together. We see strong potential for long-term collaboration supporting East Africa’s rapidly growing digital transformation ambitions."
Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the EABC, emphasized the partnership's capacity to spur local innovation:
"Through this partnership with ITL Estonia, EABC aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, investment linkages, and private sector collaboration that will accelerate digital transformation, innovation, and regional integration across East Africa. We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs and young innovators, to participate competitively in the global digital economy."
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