ESTDEV 33d ago

As the next market that matters, DPI has become a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration and economic growth strategy. Held from 25 to 27 May, discussions in Tallinn, Estonia offered a practical lens into how robust digital foundations such as secure data exchange, digital identity and payment systems, alongside partnerships with global digital pioneers, can strengthen cross-border trade, improve public service delivery and foster a more unified regional digital market. The Europe–East Africa DPI Forum brought together technology companies, government institutions, investors and development partners to strengthen strategic connections between the East African Community (EAC) and European private sector actors, fostering long-term digital cooperation and investment partnerships. The forum forms part of the broader EU–EAC DEEP (Digital Economy, E-Commerce, E-Payments and Public E-Services) and Deliver projects, implemented by the D4DHub, GIZ, ESTDEV and Expertise France, which are developing selected use cases to enhance cross-border digital services across the region. Hosted by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), the three-day programme offered participants with insights into Estonia’s digital transformation journey as a pioneer in e-government and a frontrunner in DPI, highlighting secure data exchange systems such as X-Road, digital identity and cybersecurity governance models as examples that can help strengthen the EAC’s regional digital ecosystem.